Writing: A Voice for Me

All my life, thus far, I always feel as if I'm screaming and no one hears me. The same goes for when I try to do stuff like Relay for Life and my messages go ignored. I try not to be pushy or demanding but it makes me feel insignificant when I participate, ask for donations and people just ignore me. I know that's what's happening because when other people do similar events, people respond, I respond. It's kind of the same with some old classmates as well. They kind of act like "oh hi," like I have the plague but when they met my sister they're all like "Oh you're Gemma's sister. Yeah I went to school with her," and they all love her while never gave me the time of day and still don't. That's why my sister never heard me speak of them or I was never friends on facebook with them. The same thing goes for certain people in my life as well. Their feelings are significant but mine are not. I'm just too sensitive and overreact about everything. It took confirmation from my close friends to find that I'm not crazy so then I ask myself, what's wrong with me that people react to me in this way?
Everyone says stupid things or things they regret so why when I do it does it then define me? I don't define myself by that but others do. Therefore writing has been my outlet. I'm happy to see people reading it and caring about what I have to say because for once I feel like I'm being heard. I carry a lot of things with me and the experiences I've had have ended up being transformed into one of my stories. I know with my rants I get very passionate about what I'm talking about. I don't mean to judge others or come down hard but there are double standards going on. I'm like the queen of having double standards done to so I know what I'm talking about.
To all of you who read my blog and follow me on twitter, I appreciate it because it means you like reading my thoughts and opinions. It is you who help me to use my voice because you let me know you're listening. This is why I write. It's not just because of my love for books or my love of exploring my imagination. It's because it's an outlet for me to share with all of you. So as I continue to work hard to get my writing career off the ground, I want you to know that I will remember all of you on my rise to do what I love and to make a living doing it. I hold you all close to my heart and to those I help with my constructive criticism, I thank you for being open to it and communicating with me about it. You, my readers, are the best and I love you.
I have one more class and then I graduate with my Masters in creative writing. So let's get this party started! Thank you from the bottom of my heart and God bless each of you.

Foreshadowing of a Literary Life

I believe that reading is a powerful activity. It helps your thought process by expanding your mind to endless possibilities. I've always loved reading. When I was a child, my favorite books were The Babysitters Club series, Sweet Valley High series, James and the Giant Peach, and any novels by R.L. Stine (well with the exception of the Goosebumps series). As I got older I stumbled upon Lurlene McDaniel, one of my all time favorite authors next to R.L.Stine and Karen Kingsbury. I also developed interests in biographies, more notably J. Randy Taraborelli's Michael Jackson biography, Michael Jackson: the Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story. These authors have a vast influence over the writer I have become and am developing into today.
When I started playing video games, reading took a backseat but through college I started to read a bit for pleasure again. This is how I got introduced to the Harry Potter series and Terry Goodkind series (which I still have to finish). I found my favorite genres to be Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Christian, Biography, Romance, and yes even the Young Adult genre. I have a variety of books in my collection right now including some self help books.
I currently have one novella to my name called Angel in Battle which I recognize as being published before its due time. I have that story on the back burner due to attending graduate school where I am studying creative writing. I'm working on a screenplay which was created in my screenwriting class but from a story which was meant for a novel but shines as a screenplay.
I knew I would be a writer because I began creating stories in junior high. My first was called The Rose Princess. The inspiration came from a souvenir I bought at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. It was a copper rose which gave the scent of a real rose. It was beautiful with glistening colors at the tips as if it were dipped in oil. Writing has always been apart of my life. I denied it at first because my family pressured me into it and I wanted to make sure it was what I wanted to do. Now that I've chosen my path, I love every aspect of it. I thank God for the gift of writing and have vowed to use it to entertain others as well as help others with the finances which can be gained with a successful story. I wanted to give you some background of myself to prepare you for the posts ahead. I want to share my journey with you in hopes you may learn the ins and outs of pursuing writing as a career and also to inspire you to follow your dreams.

Book Review-Arm Candy

Arm Candy by Christopher Gaida
Brace yourselves because this is going to be a detailed review (that's translation for a long review) but trust me this is worth your time. I'm going to start with the title Arm Candy: A Celebrity Escort's Tales from the Red Carpet. I don't think the title does the book justice and I'll tell you why. After reading the book the first and second time and after meeting Chris, this book is so much more than tales from the Red Carpet. This is not just a man giving secrets about the ins and outs of Hollywood from a backstage point of view. This is not a "psst...psst...I have an exclusive expose on Hollywood secrets." This is a unique look at the reality of Hollywood. It is the story of man who took a chance, a leap of faith if you will, and found his niche. He took advantage of an opportunity that opened many doors for him but also allowed him to meet extraordinary individuals who would otherwise be out of his reach.
In Arm Candy, Chris gives us insight into what a celebrity escort is, taking us out of our initial perversion of the word "escort" and setting us on the right path of what the job entails. What I love about this book is Chris's approach to sharing his story. He includes a whole chapter of special Hollywood terms going into full detail of their meaning and how they are used. He does say we can skip over the chapter but if you're interested in broadcasting, film, television, etc. you will pay close attention to this chapter. I did learn some new terms such as "craft service" and "what's your twenty?" Not sure what that means? You have to read the book.
I also give him props for doing the job because I know with my memory and how I can drift sometimes, I would be fired within the first few minutes. When he describes how he felt when he saw LeeAnn Rimes's boyfriend checking out other ladies while she was being interviewed and how he wanted to protect LeeAnn, you can truly feel that sense of duty. I felt that was a power moment to share because it was such an "ah-ha" moment of confirmation that he is where he is supposed to be, in the field he's meant to be in. That moment, I feel, was also a foreshadowing of how far he would rise in the business. He became a valued and desired escort because he took his job seriously. He wasn't there for him. He was there for the talent he was assigned to. He was there for the shows he worked, the crew for those specific shows. When you think about it, no one wants to be around someone that is constantly gushing over them when their job is to pay attention to detail and to take care of the talent. It reminds me of when I met Chris at his Barnes & Noble signing here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. My friend Marisol was with me and the difference between us when we were talking to him really shined through. Initially I thought I was going to react like her because I was fascinated by Hollywood and got starstruck quite often however I surprised myself. "Oh my god you met Whitney Houston? I love her! Did you meet Taio Cruz? I love him! I would just die if I met him!" That was her reaction. I'm not saying it was a bad reaction. She got excited, as anyone would, hearing that he escorted this celebrity or that celebrity. I took on the professional side asking things like "Do you have a favorite celebrity that you escorted? What part of Pennsylvania are you from? How did you come to be in LA? How did you start?" The difference between my friend and I just amazed me that night. He told me how he was a cancer survivor and we discussed that as well as Relay for Life. I had a very enriching conversation with him and when I read the book it was like we were having another conversation but there are no questions. I was reading his story.
I can tell you that Chris's tone in the book is how he really is. He is very encouraging and open. He is truly one of the nicest people I've met and I do hope to have more conversations with him.
Back to the book, Chris focuses chapters on particular celebrities, one of my favorite chapters being on Julia Roberts. He's right. Seeing them on television or in film and then meeting them in person are two separate personas. However Julia sounds as gracious as she appears on television. One that did not surprise me at all was his discussion on Diana Ross. Granted we do obtain preconceived notions of a celebrity's personality by how they carry themselves from what we see on television but her behavior did not surprise me. True diva form in every way from what I read but Donna Summer, the complete opposite. It's important to remember to remain humble in the industry because you give yourself a bad reputation and you will begin to fade into the background. Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actresses and she's one celebrity I wouldn't mind meeting. Her reputation precedes her it sounds like. She sounds like she is exactly as she appears and I was happy to hear that.
I don't want to give away too much but I also want to highlight his stories about Susan Lucci and Rosie O'Donnell because within those stories, Chris touches upon how cancer affected his life when he was diagnosed with it and when his mother was diagnosed. These individuals are fantastic and unbelievable, not that there was any doubt but I was amazed to hear how incredibly kind and heartwarming they actually are.
Chris is also sure to encourage each of us to go after our dreams. I'd like to share a great example of Chris's heart. I was going through a rough time with my ex and took time to walk around my apartment complex to clear my head. I don't remember the whole conversation we had but I know it had to do with the walking because it made me feel good in my time of depression. I told Chris I wasn't walking on a particular day and when he asked me why, I said it was because it was raining hard and I will never forget his response to me. Now this isn't word for word but it was along the lines of, "so? it's just rain. just do it" type response. I was taken back because no one ever responded to me like that but I now take it metaphorically too. Chris knew that walking made me feel good about myself and cleared my mind so he was encouraging me to do it and not let a little bit of rain stop me from keeping that routine. Metaphorically I apply it to my career as well. I am about to graduate with a Masters in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. I'm not giving up on my dream and through the words he said to me that day as well as the words of encouragement in his book keeps me going. I've learned to value his opinion. I don't know Chris too well but I do think of him as a friend though we never hung out but we had conversations here and there. This book is a must read for everyone because to me it is so much more than the talent but it's about that underlining message. Chris exhibits great strength in his courage to step outside his comfort zone as to not hold himself back. He has opened himself up to endless possibilities and now I am doing the same. He inspires me both as a friend and as a fellow writer. I have shared this on Facebook and I mean when I say that I am endorsing more than a great book but also a great individual. If you haven't done so, order this book now. It will change your life in more ways than one.
To Chris,
Thank you for sharing your story and just being you. I always wish you the best in all your present and future endeavors. Thank you for being a great inspiration and reminding us that our dreams can be our reality. We just need to take that leap of faith. Here's to many more conversations.

Book Review-Clara

Clara is a young lady who was sold into slavery by her mother as a child to settle a financial

debt. Before being taken into captivity, she crosses paths with a young boy named Emmerich who attempts to save her from the cruel fate her mother has sent her to. After that fateful night, Emmerich vows to find her and become her hero. Years pass before their paths shall cross again and in the midst of a civil war. Emmerich is the Captain of the Guard to a beloved king who is viciously murdered by a sorcerer named Marduk. In hopes of changing the world to his liking, Marduk seeks a Seer, the slave Clara, to proceed with his plan. Clara’s powers of premonition keep her safe, adding value to her life. The question sought is whether Emmerich can be the hero Clara needs and the leader the Rebellion need to defeat the evil Marduk.

Suzanna Linton delivers a very solid storyline with Clara. Clara is a young woman plagued by betrayal and forced to live through the horror of slavery. She is betrayed several times in the story, Her mother betrays her love by selling her into slavery, Haggard by agreeing to do so and violently snatching her away to get the job done, and Gavin who had lied to her on more than one occasion. The story is full of thrills at every turn and also keeps the reader guessing. The emotion Linton invokes within her characters can be fully felt by the audience. Clara is the strongest of the characters and the most relatable.   

“Fleetingly, she thought of the gowned ladies with long, braided hair, some of it with silk ribbons intertwined with the tresses. Theirs was a style of art--hers, solely utilitarian. She savored a small taste of pride at knowing that word.”

Clara’s admiration of the ladies’ fancy appearance goes beyond their wealth and station but mostly to their freedom. The anger she feels when she saves Lord Dwervin’s life only to be further humiliated by the name “Mouse” and forced to eat on the floor like a dog is immeasurable. Through her captivation and humiliation of her slavery, she embraces the anger within her thus making her silence louder than any scream. The innocence of the child she once was has disappeared with the abuse she has had to endure. Clara has the appearance of a vulnerable individual who should be handled with care but she grows through her experiences, showing much strength during times of trouble.

Emmerich, I observed, is the opposite of Clara. He is physically and mentally strong. He is also brave but what readers are surprised to learn throughout the story is that he does have a soft side. Linton embodies the characteristics of a stereotypical male. Showing weakness or rather emotion, is not a masculine trait according to many but Linton times this revelation at a perfect point where we don’t become annoyed by him but rather admire his moment of sensitivity.

“This whole war was started because I wanted revenge. This is not a man who needs to be king.”

There is uncertainty in his tone but also again, a sense of duty. He recognizes his flaws, accepts them, but mistakes it for being a bad leader. He doubts himself in the role of king because he has a human heart. With this dialogue this has brought the image of Emmerich’s identity as a hero full circle. A hero not only admits his faults but also embraces it.

Suzanna Linton chose to focus major strengths  in her main characters. Though some of them grew for the better good, some characters remained flawed which caused their demise. What I enjoy about the characters in Clara is that they are relatable and diverse. Clara and Emmerich are the epitome of literary characters. They are the opposite of each other thus surprising each other with their strengths and sensitivity. However as the heroes of the story they accept their flaws, learning from them. They did not, for the most part, allow their emotions to get in the way. They carried out their duty but for some minor characters such as Gavin, they allowed their emotions to rule them too much. Gavin fell too hard too fast and in turn became an annoyance. I was not sorry to read of his outcome because he allowed this infatuation with Clara to rule him. Some things can be said for his desire to protect her but I felt his “love” for her was over the top. I must give Suzanna credit for creating him all the same because without Gavin, who would be the flawed fool?

I have always been a fan of magical medieval stories and this one is one of the great ones in my book. The only main complaint I have is for more proofreading before publication. Some of the grammatical errors made it difficult to follow the story causing me to read a line more than once to administer its meaning. For instance in chapter 11, page 39 Linton writes;

“Men and women dressed in costumes danced roamed the streets and alleys as children ran through the crowds, shrieking with joy.” 

There should be a comma between “danced” and “roamed” or the sentence should be rewritten such as “Men and women in costume roamed the alleyways and danced in the streets while children ran through the crowds, shrieking with joy.”

Another point of confusion came in chapter 13, page 46 where it is said,

“She thanked the Child that Emmerich had started giving her an allowance.” 

I’m not sure if I missed something but “the Child” should be explained. I feel this sentence needs more explanation. The final example of these errors occurs on chapter 15, page 55, 

“Emmerich giving the finally orders to the captains.” 

Obviously, “finally” should be “final” to exhibit a smoother flow to the sentence. The number of grammatical errors I found in the work is the only reason I choose to give it four stars instead of five but Suzanna Linton’s Clara is a wonderful read and I feel she will be one of the great writers in our day.