Books of 2011

Okay, so now that it's 2012, I am going to post a thing I did last year on my blog.
Hope you enjoy :)

How many books read in 2011
I am a bit embarresed by this but I've only read a hundred...I was just really busy this year and didn't have as much time. I usually read more than this.. :p

How many fiction and non fiction?
Most of them were fiction but I read some non fiction for school


Male/Female author ratio?
About the same.


Favorite book of 2011?
The Chaos Walking books-Oh my gosh, were they good. You have to read them. By the way, these books were science fiction.
Science fiction- The Last of the Jedi books I have read so far, Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, Episode I Journal: Queen Amidala, The Scorch Trials, Old Republic: Deceived, Coruscant Night trilogy, and A Paradise Snare
Fantasy- Angel: A Maximum Ride novel, The Warlock, The Throne of Fire, Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex, and A Great and Terrible Beauty
Historical Fiction- Les Miserables, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Private Peaceful, All Quiet on the Western Front, and The Chosen
Contemporary Life- The Patron Saint of Butterflies, Speak, Hate List, The Chosen One, and Positively,



Least favourite?
I really haven't read anything to terrible this year. Maybe some of the books I had to read for school that were kind of boring? The MenD'lee and Exodus kind of had sloppy writing.

Newest?
Throne of Fire and The Lost Hero

Longest and shortest book titles?
Longest title- The mostly true adventures of Homer P. Figg and Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader. Shortest title- Angel

Longest and shortest books?
The longest was Les Miserables- It was 1222 pages long and took we about two months to finish. Shortest book would have to be The Metamorphosis

How many books from the library?
Most were from the libaray but I a lot I owned since they were school books(I haven't been able to read as much as I normally do. WAAAAA)


Any translated books?
Les Miserables, The Metamorphosis, Siddhartha, and The Christmas Mystery

Most read author of the year, and how many books by that author?
Jude Watson I suppose. I read an assortment of authors this year.


Any re-reads?
No

Favourite character of the year?
Todd Hewitt, Viola Eade, Ferus Olin, Melinda Sordino(from Speak), Thomas, Valerie(from Hate List), Eponine, Paul, Artemis Fowl, Holly Short, and Trever.

Which countries did you go to through the page in your year of reading?
Russia, Germany, England, India, France, and many fictional planets and worlds

Which book wouldn’t you have read without someone’s specific recommendation?
Les Miserables, The Chaos Walking Trilogy, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, The Dead-Tossed Waves, Speak, Hate List, and A Great and Terrible Beauty



Which author was new to you in 2011 that you now want to read the entire works of?
Patrick Ness and Laurie Halse Anderson

Which books are you annoyed you didn’t read?
The Diary of Anne Frank(I'm reading that now), The Gone series, and the rest of The Last of the Jedi books.

Did you read any books you have always been meaning to read?
Some of the classics

What books are you planning to read in 2012?
Any book that sounds good. I want to read The Amber Spyglass, The Gone series(I have the first book in my pile now), Elantris, Xenocide, and the rest of the Star Wars book I need to read(including the comics)

2011 in Retrospect

Now that I think back, I have done a lot of really amazing things this year :)
I have done so many things I've wanted to do and I'm working on things I've always wanted to do. :) Of course it hasn't been a perfect year, but since was life perfect? I'm so glad to have had a good year and I'd like to share some of it with you :D
I'll start from the beginning of the year and go to the end of the year.



We went to a Civil War reenactment earlier this year(since we were studying the Civil War in History at the time). It was really neat and I liked the sword duel pictured above.


My sister, brother, and I protesting for union rights(It was really cold that day :))
It was very cool! We stood outside the capital building and several people spoke. Everyone had these signs with really great quotes on them.



The Homeschool History Fair. My sister and I have done this for the last few years and have always enjoyed it. This year we did one together about the Napoleonic Wars (since we had studied about that earlier in the school year). I was Napoleon Bonaparte and my sister my Lord Horatio Nelson(I'm the taller of the two). It was so cool since I thought we kind of looked our parts!! :)


I went to a Medieval fair with my sister and cousin. Here is me wielding a crossbow.



The movie competition!!! My cousin, sister, brother, and I all made a movie together called - Sun and Moon. We tied for audience's choice with the first place winner and got a director's chair. It was an awesome experiance and we are definetely going to do it again in 2012 (we've already started on our new film!)



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After two years of study, I got confirmed earlier this year. One of my Confirmation gifts was a real sword!!(it's a replica of Excalibur) We used the sword to cut the cake! My Confirmation verse was - Ephesians 6: 10-17 :) By the way, if your wondering, I'm a Lutheran :).












This year I was cast in the play 'Annie' at my local theater!!!! It was an amazing experience and probably the best thing I did all year :D Fun fact: To make our faces look dirty, we put cocoa powder on our faces and when I took a shower I smelled Hot Chocolate :).




This summer I went to on a Mission Trip to South Dakota. While there we stopped at Mount Rushmore. It was a long drive and I was the only one who stayed awake the entire time.



This summer I also went to a Film Acting camp where we learned how to act on film(it's a lot different than acting on stage). We also filmed a movie which was awesome! My sister and I were the good guys which was nice since I almost always play a mean person or a bad guy.


My sister, cousins, parents, and I got to see Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 and it was amazing! I had been wanting to watch this film since I read the first book many years ago. :)


Here's me helping people whose home had been destroyed by tornadoes.





Finally got my Jedi apparel made this year! I wore it for Halloween and I'm planning on wearing it to Conventions! :)


Our church celebrated it's One-Hundredth year! I got to participate in the skit about the churches history and got to play some of the founders!(One time I was this guy whose daughter still goes to our church! In the play I was trying to get out of Russia and got chased around by a guard who was played by my sister).


This year I had a really great birthday and birthday party! My birthday party was a scavenger hunt around town which was a lot of fun. And I got a car for my birthday party!!! :D


Me singing at my church on Christmas morning!!!

Also, I made my Obi-Wan fanpage(as well as the other ones I created), met a whole bunch of awesome Star Wars fans who share the same interests as me, and joined the Lakehouse Forum!. And of course there was Christmas and such :D

My New Years resolutions
Finish the re-write of the first book in my series and finish the rough draft of my fifth book!!
Get into a movie
Learn Tae-Kwon-Do
Go to Celebration VI
Get better at acting, writing, singing, and piano playing
Read many books, including the Star Wars books I haven't read as well as the comics
And have a good year :D

Book questions

1. Favorite childhood book?
Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Great Brain series and Running Out of Time.

2. What are you reading right now?
I just finished Coruscant Nights: Patterns of Force and I'm going to start on The Diary of Anne Frank (which I started on but never finished)

3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Darth Revan. I want it now!!!!

4. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Coraline, Sabotaged, Gone, and Howard Zinn's History Comic (not sure what it's called)

5. Do you have an e-reader?
No, but I have a Kindle Fire

6. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
One at a time

7. Can you read on the bus?
Yes, but since I'm homeschooled I hardly ever ride buses.

8. Favorite place to read?
In bed, outside, on the couch, and in the car.

9. Do you ever dog-ear books?
No

10. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
No

11. What makes you love a book?
Amazing writing, epic plot, awesome characters, action, and emotion.

12. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
When I think it's just so amazing that EVERYBODY ELSE SHOULD READ IT!!!!!!!

13. Favorite genre?
Science Fiction, Fantasy, action, and adventure.

14. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
Well, if it's not a good book I'll give it a bad review but I won't curse out of the author and all those who like it.

15. Favorite Poet?
Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, and e.e cumming, I guess, I'm not much into poetry.

16. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Depends. Anywhere from four to six now days since I'm so busy.

17. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
A lot....I hate doing it :p

18. Favorite fictional character?
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Siri Tachi, Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, Frodo, Sam, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Peter, Edmond, Lucy, Jill, Eustace, Gregor, Katniss, Todd, Viola, Matt, Scarlet, Jamie, Scott, Pedro, Percy Jackson, Annabeth, Jack, Thorgil, Sabriel, Scout, Whie, Lyra, Peeta, Jaden, Khedryn, Relin, Johune, Ferus Olin, Ender, and the characters in my series.

19. Favorite fictional villain?
Darth Vader, Darth Zannah, the Mayor, Dooku, Palpatine, Voldemort, Sauron, and the one in my series >:)

20. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
The ones I'm currently reading, a Jedi Apprentice/Quest book, Wild Space, Young Jedi Knights, ROTS novel, Harry Potter, or Shatterpoint.

21. The longest I’ve gone without reading. A week

22. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Elsie Dinsmore. A whole load of drivel, in my opinion.

23. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
The computer, music, movies playing, and cramped spaces(cramped with people, that is)

24. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
Lord of the Rings trilogy, Harry Potter films, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Hugo. The Hunger Games also looks good.

25. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Percy Jackson maybe...? There was one but I can't think of it at the moment.

26. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
If it was way, way, WAY, too inappropriate

27. Do you like to keep your books organized?
Yes

28. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
Keep them of course! I like to flip through books I like and re-read sections I like.

From the holodiary of Aran Liander: Jedi Apprentice

981 ARR

I am exhausted. As a Jedi I am able to push through my exhaustion and keep going even when I've went passed my endurance. That is what I've done for the last twenty-four hours; we walked forty miles through the deeply set mire and the pouring rain. Our heavy artillery kept getting stuck and My Master and I helped our troops pull it out which caused the journey from point A to point B to take even longer. My Master is amazing. He barely even looked tired. Only I who has worked with him for so long could see the tiredness he held back. It was evident in the tightness of his cheeks and the slight loosening of his brow. I wish I had that amount of control....
We're at our position and now I'm resting in one of the stronghold's many rooms, using a biowipe to scrape the worse of the mud off my skin and clothes. I know I should sleep but it evades me because I know it will only cause nightmares. So, I'm just going to meditate later and hope that the Force will suffice for lack of proper rest.....I can hear my Master now, telling me that the Force is never a nursemaid; it is a friend and a guide but it won't take perfect care of me; I must rely on myself for somethings.
I thought about this journal a bit on the long trek and I've decided to tell you about my friends.
My best friends, besides my Master, are: Kyla, Rune, and Lint. I've been friends with them- or in some cases...was- since we were Initiates in the Bear Clan. We met back when my memories grow hazy and I can barely remember our first meetings; but I still remember the vivid happiness I felt when we all held hands and spoke the Code together, the words tangling up in our mouths and us laughing.....
I miss Rune and Lint so much.......so very much.
Rune was an Echani boy one year my junior. He was a quiet, kind individual who had an extraordinary connection to the Force. He was such a pure soul that even if he hadn't looked like one, he would have reminded me of the Angels on the moons of Iego. He was killed along with his Master on Caamas during a mega-large surprise attack led by General Grievous. I heard his scream in my mind as he died.........
Lint was an Togrutan boy about one month older than I. He was the complete opposite of Rune; he was loud and brash, always ready to jump in with his lightsaber flashing. But, like Rune he had a kind heart, even if it was rough on the outside. I always wondered if that was why he and Rune had such a connection, because of their differences.....I guess I will never know, now. Lint fell with his Master during a duel with the fearsome Ventress herself. I felt the lightsaber graze my side through the Force as he died......
Kyla is my only friend still alive.... She is a human girl and one of the strongest people I know. Her lightsaber skills are amazing and she wields two as easily as people walk. Besides my Master, she knows me best. I haven't seen her in over a year. I wish I could contact her but I don't want to endanger her position or mine. So I'll just have to trust in the Force that we will meet up soon.......
I'm not entirely sure if that helped; I still miss Rune and Lint with an ache that does not dull. But maybe I'll see improvement over the course of the war....if it ever ends, that is....
Okay, I'll stop now. I really don't think it's a good idea for me to obsess over death so much; it can't be healthy and it's not something a Jedi should obsess over.
I'm going to meditate now and maybe go over my katas....anything to keep death out of my thoughts.
May the Force be with You and may the galaxy know peace.
Aran Liander

My Christmas! :)

Okay, so I've spent Christmas with both sides of my family as well as my immediate family so I thought I'd show you what I got and share some memories of the days :)



Okay, so on the 22nd and the 23rd we spent celebrated Christmas with my Dad's side of the family. We spent the time talking and playing Wii (I won at Wii sports Bowling, Baseball, golf) I got fifty dollars, Jedi Apprentice: The Shattered Peace, a cover for the steering wheel of my car, an apron, Reese's Peanute Butter cups, and M&Ms.:)



Here are the things I got in my stocking this year at my house. :)
Legacy of the Force: Betrayal
Clone Wars Adventures Trading Card Game
Pocket Posh Christmas Logic
lotion to put in my 'Jedi Pack' :)
Hot Chocolate packet
orange
Reese's Peanut Butter cups
Candy Canes




I had a really good Christmas at my house this year. We did have to wait to open presents since my sister and I had to sing at church that morning but we still had a load of fun opening our presents. :)
A Kindle Fire
Jedi Apprentice: The Ties That Bind
Jedi Apprentice: The Evil Experiment
Jedi Apprentice: The Dangerous Games
Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover
Rogue Planet by Greg Bear
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume 1
Old Obi-Wan Kenobi action figure (It came with a Star Wars cup that you can see in the picture)
The old Clone Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi action figure (now I have all the Obi-Wan's!)
Attack of the Clones Anakin Skywalker action figure (now I have all the Anakin's!)
Obi-Wan Kenobi t-shirt (AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!)
Linkin Park: Minutes to Midnight CD
Linkin Park: Meteora CD




Here are some of the things I got in my stocking at Christmas with my mom's side of the family(I will talk about it below)
Music/piano mouse pad
cupcake bandaids
candy cane (that broke :( )
Throat spray for singers (Important if you have to sing and your throat feels weird)
snap on watch
M ornament
Hershey Santa bar
music themed socks
music pencil
emery board
Star Wars playing cards
notepad
computer keyboard duster brush
chap stick
Vanished: A Private novel by Kate Brian




So we spent Christmas at my mom's side of the family on the 26th, 27th, and the 28th(we left today). I had so much fun putting on a play with my cousins(two acts and very funny and action packed), spending time with family, and eating all the sweets there, especially the White Chocolate Fudge that was dyed green :)
Jedi Apprentice: The Day of Reckoning
Jedi Apprentice: The Fight for Truth
music themed umbrella
Freedom Call: Eternity CD
Star Wars bag
Music themed bag

So that's all for today. I'll be back tomorrow with my video of me singing and the next chapter of Aran Liander's tale. Till then have a good rest of your night/day and May the Force be with you....always :)
Shena Tokala

Writing Tips: Part 2: Section A

Writing Tips
Part 2: Plot and/or Idea
Section A: The first spark

Once you know which genre you want to write(that part should be instinctive however; you know what you like) you need to come up with a story. DON'T try to force it; ideas will come at their own pace.
One of the most-asked questions authors are asked I have noticed is 'where do you get your ideas.' Well, the answer is different for everyone. For me, I typically get ideas when I least expect it- like I can either be reading a book, watching a movie, taking a shower, lying in bed waiting to fall asleep, dreams, talking to someone, or just sitting there doing nothing. Once you've got an idea, write it down or put it on your computer/laptop in a document. Remember, your idea will change and evolve as your story matures and your characters sort of take charge of the story(this actually does happen! For example I had some characters drawn to other characters that I hadn't planned on and certain things have changed in the plot- a lot has changed, actually).
Sometimes a story won't work out, but that's okay, you just have to keep at it and find a story that really resonates within you. If you get stuck take a break and do something else- read a book, watch a movie, listen to music, or whatever helps you relax until an idea comes to you. Stories can be very hard to craft so you have to take it seriously when going in- you have to love your story and you have to love your characters- even while you sometimes simultaneously hate them. But the most important factor of writing a story is to enjoy it- write something YOU'D want to read, not what you think would sell the best(though it is important to know some of the writer no-nos which I will go over later).
So that is all for now- next week I will go into what makes a plot and how it's structure work. Hope this helps and May the Force be with you! :)
Shena Tokala Maegen) Also known as Siri Kenobi95, SiriKenobi-ShenaTokala, and Cam Danen.

Favorite Song Monday

The song I am posting today is one of my favorite songs- It is called "Until the End" and is by Breaking Benjamin. WARNING- the song has explicit lyrics in it. Well, actually it's just one curse word, but it's a bad one so if that bothers you, you might want to skip it. But if you want, I can tell you when to skip during the song.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Hope everyone has a good day!
If you celebrate another holiday I wish you happy returns and hope it's a good one as well. And if you don't celebrate at all I hope you have a good day.
Happy Life Day and May the Force be with you! :)





Here is a song I am singing at church this morning(the difference is I'm singing it as a solo and these people are singing it in a group and they're singing it slightly wrong). If I can post me singing it on here later. :)
Well, have a good day, hope you enjoy your presents, and May the Force be with you! :)

The Holodiary of Aran Liander- Jedi Apprentice

981 ARR

There was a battle today. The Separatists found our position and launched a surprise attack on our stronghold. We lost half of our forces and the fortress is in flaming ruins; which still burn even through the fiendish rain that continues to pelt us. I am currently hiding under a piece of durasteel alongside my Master and a couple troopers; all of us covered in thick lathers of mud that clings to us like the terrifying muscle maggots. It's cold out here and the ice-speckled mud just makes it worse. I try not to look at smears since they are maroon in color and I can't tell whether it's just the natural color of the soil on this world or if it's mixed with blood.........
The battle was extremely vicious and the droids just kept coming, swarming over us like a nest of hungry gundarks, ready to rip our exhausted bodies to shreds. The dead litter the ground everywhere. I can see them now- bodies twisted, necks turned at obscene angles, and battered armor covered in filth. The air and rain even smells like death..... And I felt every death like an avalanche. I worry sometimes that it will crush me like the thought bomb of nightmare....I wish I hadn't thought of that............................
Why is there a war? I know why there is and I believe in our cause but.....I just want it to END.
Every time I see the dead a piece of me goes numb. How long till I break? Will I even break? Will I.....get used to it? Will I become so numb that I will long for war after it's already come to an end?---------------------------------
I was wounded in the battle-. It was just a graze but I can still fill the flayed skin burn with each passing moment. But I don't complain; I'm still alive at least. A lot of beings can't say the same......
I am not afraid of death, as a Jedi we know that death isn't the end, it is merely the beginning. But sometimes it is hard to follow these teachings when death is all around you, burning inside your soul, bleeding along your skin. But I will conquer this slight fear, this fear I sometimes feel right before a battle or in the instant of surprise in an unexpected attack.
We must triumph. We HAVE to. Because if we don't the galaxy is doomed to be ruled by the Sith......The name itself gives me shivers. The great Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi defeated one as an apprentice and Count Dooku is also one. My Master has told me that there is another one we do not know the name of. That is why I keep fighting- to keep the Sith's grimy, evil hands off the innocents of the galaxy......I probably should stop writing about Sith and death. I'm not sure what my Master wants me to write about. Maybe I'll just tell you about him. That way I can stay....focused on something besides death.
My Master is a human like me- He is quite young- a contemporary of Obi-Wan Kenobi in fact. They were in different clans so my Master never really knew him. He is a little taller than I and slightly muscular in build. He has trained me since I was thirteen and knows me better than anyone else. He is like a father to me and has made me who I am today. And...................I love him. I know it's wrong; we Jedi aren't aloud to have attachments but this..doesn't feel like an attachment, it feels like what I've heard people call pure, unconditional love; which is like compassion, so maybe my love for him isn't wrong. I know, I know, that sounded strange but that is the best way I can put it into words. He's always been there for me. He taught me how to use a lightsaber, he trained me in the Force tirelessly so now I am able to use it without hesitation. He has helped me with my Force Empathy which makes me feel others emotions far stronger than most beings do. He has helped me with my fears and answered my many questions. I would be lesser of a Jedi if not for him. I would be a lesser person.......
My Master just told me it is time to go; we're moving our troops to a different location so I'd better gather what I have, which isn't much, and prepare to leave. Thank the Force, I was starting to feel like ACTUAL muscle maggots were crawling over my skin..........
Well, we're leaving now so May the Force be with You and all those you call dear.
Aran Liander

The Hobbit movie trailer!

Just saw Arda post this on The Lakehouse Forum. It looks so awesome! I cannot wait to see it! Hopefully it will be as good as the book!
Now they just need to make "The Silmarillion" into a movie :)

Writing Tips: Part 1: Section F

Writing Tips
Part 1
Section F: Mystery
(If you want to read the genre posts, the links are in the last writing tips section)

The last genre I will speaking of is "Mystery." Mystery is a story that resolves around something strange that has happened and the characters taking steps to figure out what caused it. Sometimes books in the his genre will include a detective or a few individuals trying to solve the mystery. Mystery is most often some sort of crime- whether murder, thievery, etc. Sometimes the crime is an everyday occurrence and sometimes they are supernatural in nature.
Mystery can be divived into many categories such as - traditional mystery, legal thriller, medical thriller, cozy mystery, police procedural, and hardboiled.
Some early novels in this genre are-
Das Fraulein von Scuderi by E.T.A Hoffmann
The Murders in the Ru Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
The Sherlock Holmes novels (read "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and it was really good)
The Hardy Boys series by Edward Stratemeyer (Franklin W. Dixon)
The Nancy Drew series by Edward Stratemeyer (Carolyn Keene)
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

So now that I've finished my discussion on genres I will be moving on to other important things to know about writing. Hope these posts have helped you understand genres a bit better.
Have a good day and May the Force be with you :)
Shena Tokala (Maegen)

Favorite Song Monday

Favorite Song Monday! So today's song is the amazing "Give Me a Sign" by my favorite band "Breaking Benjamin."
I have also decided that I will post a Star Wars related video that goes with the song, if there is one. :)



My favorite Star Wars related video on YouTube :)



Well, that's all for today, so hope you have a good one and May the Force be with you!
Shena Tokala(Maegen)

Fourth Week of Advent: Christmas Eve/Sarajevo or Carol of the Bells

In the honor of the fourth week of Advent I will post my favorite Chritmas Song- Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I went and saw this group perform on Friday and they were awesome! So, here you go.



Here are two Star Wars videos using the song :)





Celtic Women's version of Carol of the Bells.



One week till Christmas! :) So excited. So, have a good day and May the Force be with you! :)

From the holodiary of Aran Liander: Jedi Apprentice

981 ARR

The war has raged for three years now. I wasn't there at the beginning of it- my Master and I were on a mission when we heard of the blood-bath now known as the Battle of Geonosis. I did hear about it however- and saw the deadness on the faces of the disheveled Jedi who returned. My heart burns for them and for all those who return lost from the many conflicts that have arisen in these dark years. Since then there has been many battles....many had died. I-...........
My name is Aran Liander and I am a Jedi Padawan, apprentice to Master Roan Shyn who took me in when I was thirteen. I am sixteen years of age at the moment and a Commander in the Grand Army of the Republic; serving alongside my Master who is also a General. I am fairly tall for my age, you could say, and my hair is brown in hue. I was born on Ator but the Jedi Temple is, and always will be, my home.
My Master has asked to me to write about my experiences in the war; he tells me it will help with the deadening weariness that has settled over us all. I have-had-three best friends. Their names are- Kyla, Rune, and Lint. Only Kyla is still with us, the others have dXXX- joined the Force...........Sometimes I see them in my sleep, in my dreams, and.......and.....------------------------------
Well, I guess I should say where I am. I am currently holed up in a stronghold on a rain-soaked world- I forget the name. We have fought on so many worlds and in so many battles that they have ran into a muddy, gray smear of suffering. I can see the drab field outside the window before me- it is basically a muddle of nothingness- the ground ripped by artillery and sodden by the downpour.
I miss the Temple- some days I meditate and gather the Force around me and try to pretend I am there- but the Force is riddled with darkness; I feel it in my bones, in my skin. It somehow manages to soak in and coat us, weighing us down until we nearly collapse. It is a disease in my blood and a phantom in my head. Really, all I want is to go home. But I am a Jedi and I we aren't supposed to want and desire- it is not our way and I understand that.
I really don't see how writing all this down will help me. Words are just words after all and it isn't possible to force all my emotions into the datapad- how can I? I don't know what to do.
But I will trust that my Master knows best- he always does and I am thankful to be his apprentice and for his guidance.

May the Force be with you.
Aran Liander.

Jedi Master: Obi-Wan Kenobi vid

Found this last night and thought I'd post it. Enjoy and May the Force be with You! :)

Writing Tips: Part 1: Section E

Okay, before I begin, I will post links to my last posts on 'Writing Tips' so you can catch up before continuing on with this post. :)

Introduction to Genres - http://writing-reading-acting.blogspot.com/2010/11/writing-tips-part-1-section.html

Science Fiction - http://writing-reading-acting.blogspot.com/2010/12/writing-tips-part-1-section-b.html

Fantasy - http://writing-reading-acting.blogspot.com/2011/01/writing-tips-part-1-section-c.html

Historical Fiction - http://writing-reading-acting.blogspot.com/2011/02/writing-tips-part-1-section-d.html

Writing Tips

Part 1

Section E: Contemporary Life

Contemporary Life fiction is about everyday life and deals with problems that occur to normal, everyday people. Topics in this genre can range from problems such moving to a new school, making friends, being bullied, family troubles, becoming an outcast, loneliness, illness, and friendship. Of course, even though these stories are based in real life, sometimes there will be quite a lot more drama then there is in real life(though this typically happens more in T.V then in books). Contemporary life fiction can also deal with problems that are large topics for discussion in our society. The majority of the time, however, contemporary life is filled with characters we can identify with since we have had the same exact problems before(well, sometimes, anyway). There are many wonderful, well written books in this genre and I plan on writing in this genre at some point :). I'm actually planning on making a T.V show in this genre about a girl who is a Star Wars Geek :).

Some really good novels in this genre are

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante

The Chosen Ones by Carol Lynch Williams

The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall

That Girl Lucy Moon by Amy Timberlake

The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy

If you have any questions, you can post them in the comments below.

So, until next week when I discuss our last genre- Mystery

Shena Tokala(Maegen)

Favorite Song Monday

Okay, so every Monday I will post a favorite song of mine on here.

The first one up with Duel of the Fates(original and remix) from the Star Wars films(particularly The Phantom Menace) P.S The music video for the Remix of Duel of the Fates is awesome! I recommend you watch it :)

Original

Remix

Hope you enjoy and have a good rest of your day! May the Force be with you! :)

New things for my blog

I was thinking of doing some new things for my blog such has having a certain topic to write about each day. Here's what I was thinking

Monday- I'll post a song I like

Tuesday- I'll post writing tips(I'd started this but never finished. Now I can).

Thursday- A fanfiction about a young Jedi Padawan during the end of the Clone Wars and through Order 66. I will post a section each week and it will be written in diary format.

I will also post book reviews, surveys, other fanfictions I write, acting stuff, and other things.

What are some things you'd like to see on here?

Thanks,

Shena Tokala(Maegen) :)

Third Week of Advent: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

In the honor of the third week of advent I am posting this version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." (I know, I know, the group as a weird name, but I like the song).

Star Wars Challenge Day 30

Today is Day 30! AHHHHH!! Well, today's topic is:

"WHY YOU LOVE STAR WARS!"

There are a lot of reasons I love Star Wars; here they are-

1 I LOVE the plot- the story is just SO well done!!!! It's a story of redemption, betrayal, love, war, loss, coming of age, loss of innocence, and tragedy. On the surface, it may just seem like a typical good vs. evil; and it is, but there is more to it. There are many layers- the Jedi are good and Sith are evil but at times it is hard for our characters to decide which is right. Some make the right choices, some make the wrong ones, and some just keep going, hoping that they are doing it right. But really, the story is about redemption and how sometimes you can bring people back from the abyss and into the light. Plus, it is a joy to watch the films :).

2 The emotion- the story is very emotional, when you really think about it- Obi-Wan looses his Master, Siri, his whole Order, and his best friend turns to the darkside. Anakin looses his mother, he is pulled in so many different directions that he becomes overwhelmed, his inadvertently causes his wife to die, looses his best friend, and becomes evil. Luke looses his aunt and uncle, looses his mentors Obi-Wan and Yoda, and finds out that Darth Vader is his father. But there is joy as well- as we see Luke restore peace to the galaxy by turning his father back to the light.

3 The morals- the story, our heroes, and the Jedi all have good morals and messages that give the story even more meaning. It shows us the importance of duty, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, inner calm, friendship, family, strength, bravery, selflessness, and honor.

4 The characters. Star Wars definitely some amazing, layered characters. None are as they appear on the surface, and we can identify with the majority of them; I know I do. Like Obi-Wan I know what it's like to loose a friend, we both get anxious and worry, we both find it hard to express love for others, and we both can be a little stiff. Like Anakin I know what it's like to get angry, to hate, and like him, I wish I could control my emotions. Like Siri I am impatient and tomboyish, and we're pretty close in personality. And like Luke I know the feeling of wanting to get out and do something. The characters in Star Wars are also human and have flaws but most of them genuinely want to do right; which is something that is great to see since most of the time characters aren't like that- it's a nice balance between black/white and shades of gray.

5 The relationships. I love the relationships in Star Wars! There is Obi-Wan's and Anakin's(father and son, brothers, and best friends), Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan(father and son), Obi-Wan and Luke(father and son), Darth Vader and Luke(father and son), Obi-Wan and Siri, Anakin and Padme, Han and Luke(best friends), Han and Leia.....I could go on and on. Some of the relationships end in joy, some in tragedy, and some in both.

6 The EU. One of the great things about Star Wars is the fact that it has such a large universe to explore. I haven't even gotten through it all yet! Besides the six movies we can read the many Star Wars books, watch Star Wars: Clone Wars and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, we can read the comics and reference books, and we can play the video

games. The Star Wars EU has released some of my favorite stories and through it we get to learn more about our favorite characters from the films and see the story play out from their perspective. I am so glad to have found the EU(especially the books) since it has made my enjoyment of Star Wars even greater.

7 The Lightsaber duels and The Force. I love watching the fight scenes in Star Wars!!! I've always thought they were cool. Actually, ever since I watched Star Wars, I've wished I could have a lightsaber and use the Force. It's so awesome to watch

the Jedi go all out on the Sith/droids/whatever and win! I especially love watching Obi-Wan, Anakin, Qui-Gon, Mace Windu, and Yoda's lightsaber forms(which I love reading about); they are all very skilled duelists. I just love watching how amazing the Jedi are with their lightsabers and the Force. I also love the Force; it's mysticism, it's power, it's dual personality, and the study surrounding it.

8 The Jedi Order. I love the Jedi! Their Code, their way of life, their Temple, their duty- it's amazing. They try to do what's right, they save the day, they don't crave power, they don't have greed, jealousy or selfishness. Oh and there is no romance!(mwhahaha!)

Plus, my favorite characters are Jedi and I wish I could be trained as one. :). Also, they are for the most part, good. They have no selfish motives and help because it is right which is nice to see in a world where greed is the reason for so many problems in our world.

9 Obi-Wan Kenobi!!! He's my favorite character and I really find his story tragic, yet uplifting. He was able to pick himself up after loosing pretty much EVERYTHING and keep on going. He did his duty to the end and was selfless. I find him very relate-able and a good role model.

Also, I love the huge number of Star Wars fans that I get to converse with online.

I have a fanfiction account, I own several fan pages and belong to many more, and I'm on "The Lake House Forum." I love getting to talk Star Wars with people just has obsessed as me and having discussions about what our favorite parts of the story are. And isn't the music just so beautiful? :)

I am so glad I did this challenge, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as I enjoyed writing it :). Thanks to all that commented, it was greatly appreciated. :)

Hope you have a wonderful day and May the Force be with you! :)

Star Wars Challenge Day 29

Okay, so I am almost finished with this Challenge (NOOOOO!) and since today is Day 29 the topic is "Best Personal Star Wars memory."

Well, I have a few, so here goes.

Getting Revenge of the Sith for Christmas. My sister and I screamed with joy when we got it :).

Watching A New Hope for the first time. It was an amazing experience, since I was just nine a the time; the film just seemed so AWESOME!!! It still is :).

I also enjoyed watching Revenge of the Sith on a projector at my church; the lights were off, I was wrapped in a blanket and I got to watch my favorite movie on a large screen; it was awesome.

Watching movies with other fans was fun; especially when we screamed at Anakin not to turn to the darkside and whacking Sidious with our plastic lightsaber.

I also LOVE play-acting Star Wars, making action figure films with my sister, and writing Star Wars stories. :)

And I really like my new Jedi gear (Cloak and Tunic)

Also, I plan on going to Celebration VI this next summer, so THAT will be so cool!

Star Wars Challenge Day 28

It's Day 28 and the topic is "Favorite Darth Vader quote"

(ignites lightsaber) Okay, I'm ready to quote a Sith Lord, I'll just have to make sure he doesn't pop up and try Force-Choking me (Though I know how to block it).

"I find your lack of faith disturbing."

"No. I am your father."

"That name no longer has any more meaning for me!"

"It is too late for me, son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now."

"Nothing can stop that now. Just for once...let me...look on you with my own eyes."

Oh great! Vader's here. Well, I have to go and fight him, so I'll leave you with a video.

May the Force be with you! (runs off to confront Vader).

Star Wars Challenge Day 27

Day 27- "Favorite Yoda Quote."

Quoting a wise Jedi Master? Awesomeness! :)

Yoda: Fear is the path to the darkside. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. 'The Phantom Menace.' -

This quote is a very true statement, especially when you go through it bit by bit and think about it. Everything starts with fear. We fear something because it threatens us; we may not KNOW we fear it, but deep in our subconscious, fear is slowly entering our minds and filling us. Soon, our subconscious begins to get worried about our fear so it turns it to anger; anger at this thing that threatens us and at ourselves for being afraid. Our anger grows inside us, filling our minds with it's persistence until the anger is all we feel; and that is when it becomes hate. We have all hated someone or something in our lives; we may not always realize we do, but we do. We hate this thing that threatens because we fear and rage at it in our minds and because we know that hate is wrong and we wish we didn't have this feeling but we can't help it. And this leads to our last emotion in the spectrum- suffering. And we do suffer because that's what hate, anger, and fear cause- a negative emotion. And negativity inadvertently leads to suffering. We suffer because the negative is all we see once these emotions have clouded our vision. This negativity ends up controlling us and even though we know we are being controlled by it we sometimes don't know quite how to forgive those that hurt us and let go of our anger.

- Sorry for the long discussion on this quote. I was thinking about this in my head this morning while I was getting ready for the day and I came up with the above analysis.

"And well you should not! For my ally is the Force. And a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us… and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this… [nudging Luke's arm] crude matter! You must feel the Force around you. Here, between you, me, the tree, the rock… everywhere! Even between the land and the ship."- Yoda: The Empire Strikes Back

"Imaginary is the future. Always now, even eternity will be." - Yoda to Obi-Wan via comlink in the ROTS novel when the two prepare to fight their perspective Sith. (Sad scene :( )

"Do, or do not. There is no try." - I remember after first hearing this I took is to heart and worked on doing as Yoda said. :)

So, that's all for now, have a good day and May the Force be with you! :)

P.S. Here's another video! :) (Yeah, I know, I find a lot of them :)p )

Star Wars Challenge Day 26

Day 26- NOOO I'm almost done! :(

Well anyway, the topic is "Favorite Obi-Wan Kenobi Quote"

YAAAY!! Obi-Wan! :) He has some of the coolest quotes!

Well, my favorite is-

"You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you."

- It's a very sad quote and it's even sadder because Obi-Wan is crying while he says it(which is something we don't see him do that often). Also, it is the only time I have heard him say "I love you," to someone, so that makes it even sadder- he lost all his chances and now it's too late. :(

Some other awesome quotes by him are-

"You were the Chosen One! It was said you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkess!"

"Goodbye old friend, and May the Force be with you."

"For Anakin, there is nothing more important than friendship. He is the most loyal man I've ever met—loyal beyond reason; in fact abstractions like peace don't mean much to him. He's loyal to people, not to principles. And he expects loyalty in return. He will stop at nothing to save me, for example, because he thinks I would do the same for him… because he knows I would do the same for him."

"You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know. And you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be."

"Send me to kill the Emperor. I will not kill Anakin."......."He is like my brother...I cannot do it."

"It can't be, it can't be! I can't watch any more! "

"The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together."

"The Force will be with you...always."

"He will not let me down. He never has."

"So uncivilized..."

"Only Sith deal in absolutes."

"Let her go, Anakin! Let...her...go!"

"Oh, just another boring day saving the Universe."

"Who's the more foolish, the fool, or the fool who follows him?"

"Unfortunately war tends to distort our point of view. If we sacrifice our code,even for victory,we may loose that which is most important,our honor"

"Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin. Even without the approval of the Council if I must."

"The Council has granted me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi....I promise."

"The way I see it, if we were not supposed to interfere, Ahsoka and I wouldn't be here in the first place!(turns to Ahsoka) Look after the ship, I'm going to find Anakin(gets on speeder and flies away)."

"You kill without thought or feeling. But I am not you"

"It's my new bathrobe."

"Don't call me clumsy."

"My Padawan. I would do anything for you. I would bear your burdens for you if I could. But I cannot. But I will help you.. I will always help you. I will not leave you. Things between us have not run smoothly lately. But you must never doubt my commitment to you."

"Not to worry, we are still flying half a ship"

"Its too late, jump!"

Sorry for having so many but he just has a lot of really good quotes!

Have a good day and May the Force be with you! :)

Oh, and here's an Obi-Wan themed video for you to enjoy. The song is "Hero" by Skillet.