Mockingjay

Now that I have some spare moments in my life, I think it is high time I get to that "Mockingjay" review. :)

I was really sad to put this book down, as I had really enjoyed this series so much. Things have gotten intense in Panem and there seems to be more back history that we learn from Katniss about the origins of the Hunger Games and the war that led to its creation.

The story picks up after the events at the Quarter Quell that has led to full scale rebellion from most of the citizens of the District. Katniss's actions in both the Hunger Games and the Quarter Quell have made the Capitol pretty angry. According to their point of view, she has defied them and made them look stupid. The whole purpose of the Hunger Games was for the Capitol to control the citizens and prevent them from trying to gang up and overthrow them. And in this book, we see exactly why the Capitol fears this.

As Katniss recovers from the Quarter Quell in the underground section of District 13, she is asked by some of the leaders of 13 to become the "Mockingjay" and the symbol of the rebellion. The bird that she represents is an example of the Capitol's attempt to keep an eye on the citizens.

A cross between female mockingbirds and "jabberjays", a bird engineered during the Dark Days to spy on the rebels by repeating human words back to the Capitol. The rebels discovered this and would feed the birds lies, therefore rendering the birds useless. The Capitol scrapped this idea and let the birds roam free, where they mated with the mockingbirds and created a hybrid that could replicate songs and not words.

Getting back to the story, Katniss agrees and they begin to plan an assault on the Capitol, by systematically taking over the districts and rendering the Capitol weak. As they prepare for the Capitol's demise, Katniss learns that Peeta is being held prisoner in the Capitol and is being used as leverage by President Snow in order to bend Katniss to his will. When Peeta is rescued, she sees that he has been poisoned with tracker jacker venom and brainwashed to kill her. With some rehabilitation, he returns to his normal self and Katniss realizes how much she cares for him. One by one, the districts begin to rebel and join Katniss and her movement, which leads to Katniss's ultimate plan of getting to the Capitol and killing Snow.

I can't spoil this book any further than I have gotten to so far. It was such a fun read and I felt like I was right in the midst of everything. I kept wondering what was going to happen next, and coming up for ways to get into the Capitol or which of the districts would be a critical loss for the Capitol. I really enjoyed it and I was sad to read the last chapter. The epilogue was nice, as it provided some glimpse in the future after the war and the discontinuation of the Hunger Games altogether.

Definitely pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

Happy Reading!

-Alexandra

Answering the "Why" in "Why do you write?"

A few months back I subscribed to a newsletter called "Funds For Writers" which provides amateur writers with ways to make some money off of their work. It is run by author Hope Clark, and she pays writers to write articles for the newsletter about becoming a writer. I thought I could write something  for her newsletter so I put this together and sent it off to her. She passed on it because it was "lightweight" and she was looking for more "how-to, reference, and tangible guidance pieces". I  figure since it never got published in a newsletter, I could share it with all of my readers.

Answering the “Why” in “Why do you write?”

By Alexandra Stockton

I’ve been writing since I learned my alphabet as a young child. I would just find a blank paper and make up a story that appealed to me and put it down. I never gave it the slightest bit of thought, and looking back at those stories, I’m glad I didn’t. Those stories seemed to capture my imagination it its purest form right there on the paper.

It wasn’t until I hit my teenage years that I started writing again, this time a little more self-conscious about what I was writing and more private. I never let anyone read what I wrote, mostly because I thought that other people wouldn’t really enjoy it. I remember distinctly bringing my composition book with me to a Girl Scout sleepover, so I could write before bed, and one girl, Katie asked to read what I was writing. I timidly handed over my composition book and she read it. The next morning when she had returned it to me, she said “I liked your story. I would love to read what happens next.” I was very surprised that another person liked what I had written, let alone ask for more stories. That fueled my writing just a little more. In addition to the short fiction, I branched out into poetry and screenplays.

During my sophomore year of high school I enrolled in the county community college to supplement my homeschool education. While I was there I decided to pursue a degree in English to enhance my skills as a writer. I found the creative writing classes to be challenging to me. Not only did I have to produce something, but I had to make copies for my classmates and professor to read a critique. And it was in those creative writing classes that I was introduced to this question:

“Why do you write?”

It seems like a very harmless question, but it is a very difficult one to answer. And any answer you give sounds sort of false. For me the answer came from a fictional author in one of my favorite books, The Book of the Banshee by Anne Fine.

In the book, Will Flowers is caught in a war between his teenage sister Estelle who has seemed to become a howling banshee of a person overnight and his parents. He spends the majority of the book recounting the scary situation at home and comparing it to the life of a person from a book he happened to pick up at school, which takes place during World War I. He also describes a visit to his school from Alicia Whitley, the author of his favorite series who gives him the idea to write about his life experiences. In one scene in the book, Ms. Whitley says to the students “Write for the reader in you.” Suddenly the answer seemed so obvious. I write because I love to read, and I was always running out of books to read, so writing my own story was like having the best of both worlds.

 That line stuck with me long after I read the book and has helped me answer that simple question: “Why do you write?” Now as a writer on the verge of finishing her first novel, it has become easier and easier to write. I just have to figure out what the reader in me would want to happen next. In some ways, I continually inspire myself, which makes my work so much more than words on a page. It's a life journey.

"Oh you're writing a book! What's it about?

Every time I mention that I am a writer and I am working on a book, they ask what the book is about. Most of the time, I explain that it's chick lit, but deeper. To give a better example, I'll show you the process that led to "The Ties That Bind".

 "Three college friends (two guys, one girl) that are in love with each other."

 This was my starting point. Then I attacked it from more of a love triangle set up and fleshed in the characters: 

"Candide: smart girl, looking for a more solid and dependable relationship with a guy in college.

 Mark: athletic, cocky jock, tends to be a womanizer and a bit of a cheater. When faced with a girl that resists his advances, he will try anything to get her.

 Josh: Mark's best friend, nerdy computer tech. Also looking for a serious relationship and tends to fall very hard for some of the girls he meets."

 Once I figured out the characters, I decided how I wanted to tell the story. I felt that the best way would be from   each character's point of view. So starting with Candide, I rotated each chapter with the character either telling their version of an event or a specific part of their relationships with the other characters. The difficulty lay in writing three different voices, and really bringing the characters to life. The bonus is you see how the distinct relationships between Candide/Mark, Josh/Candide, and Josh/Mark are affected by the collective relationship of all three.

 I think that showing the dynamic between people is essential in any love story or general story, because that is the foundation of any relationship. Most friendships and relationships are built on mutual interests and to see relationships form and dissolve through the eyes of the people involved is quite interesting. I also think that building strong characters helps the story mature and brings more to the table than a torrid physical steamfest.

 I'm not going to delve more into my particular book, as to leave you with some interest in the finished project, but I do want to explain how different my book is from most in that genre. I do hope you will buy it when it is released later in 2012, and walk away with a decent piece of literature.

 Happy Reading! -Alex

Catching Fire

This was a particularly hard review to write, especially when I try to make it viewable for all readers. I loved reading this book, and I spent an entire day reading it on my Kindle. That's how much time you should budget for it. A whole day.

The story picks up after Katniss returns from the Victors Tour, following the end of the Hunger Games. However, the tone throughout Panem has changed a lot and it seems that there is a growing unrest about the control that the Capitol has over the districts. The Hunger Games has hit the seventy-fifth year, meaning it is time for the third Quarter Quell, which celebrates the anniversary of the Capitol's defeat of the Districts with a special twist included in the Games. The directions for the Quarter Quell were created and appropriately labeled during the founding of the Hunger Games, so no one knows what will happen untill the envelope is opened and read. Usually there is an added obstacle or tribute requirement that is not normally in the regular Hunger Games. This time the instructions seem very sinister and suspicious. I found myself shouting at the Kindle and very worried about some of the characters. That is all I can say about the story without spoiling anything in the plot. All I can really say is the Panem that we were introduced to in "The Hunger Games" is changing, and we see just how much control the Capitol has over the districts. Happy Reading! -Alex

The Hunger Games

I read this book back in April and it's taken this long to do the review because I have been so preoccupied with job searches and book writing, that some things got forgotten. :)

 Anyway.

 I positively ADORED "The Hunger Games". The writing was very descriptive and I felt like I was right next to Katniss and sharing her experiences.The story takes place years after a post apocalyptic event destroys North America. The remnants of this event form the country known as Panem, with the Capitol, located in the Rockies as its country seat. The area is separated into Thirteen Districts, but after a rebellion the Thirteenth District is obliterated and the Hunger Games is created. Every year when the children of Panem turn twelve years of age, their name is entered for a chance to participate in the Hunger Games, in a ceremony known as "the reaping". One boy and one girl is selected from each of the 12 districts as tributes and are sent to a remote area to battle each other for survival. The winner receives infinite riches and food for themselves and their family.

 I'm not going to reveal any more of the story, otherwise you'll never read the book. I particularly enjoyed the setting, where the government controls pretty much everything. Three great examples of this kind of dystopian atmosphere are "1984" by George Orwell, "V for Vendetta" by Alan Moore, and "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. Usually there is one person who knows that what the government does is not right, but has to play along so nothing terrible happens to him/her. Katniss is that very independent character and she makes you feel the same way as she talks of what The Capitol wants the people to believe, and the actual harsh reality of their country. The one thing that I wasn't a fan of was the abruptness of the ending. You get so involved with the story and the characters, and suddenly that's it, like waking up with a jolt.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a very engaging storyline, and characters that you can instantly attach yourself to. Also I am proud to be part of District 4, cause we're off the hook! (thecapitol.pn)

Happy Reading and may the odds ever be in your favor!

-Alex

P.S- Like me on Facebook! www.facebook.com/alexandraestockton

I'm writing a book!!!!!!

Hello Readers!

If you've been following my twitter (@AStockton89), you will have been hearing about my infrequent updates about my new book. So far the cover for the book has been completed and it looks something like this:

Pretty cool huh?


Happy Reading!

-Alex

David Copperfield

Taking a break from writing my book to update this blog for a bit. :)

One of  Dickens' most famous books, and one of the first books I was introduced to. Granted as an eleven year old I only read the abridged version, but by God what absurdity did I miss?

Well let's start at the beginning. Dickens uses a first person perspective to tell this story, so we see everything as Old David Copperfield looks back on a pretty dismal and dreary life. When he was born, his Aunt Betsey Trotwood came to see the baby, got all huffy that it wasn't a girl and swore never to speak to his mother Clara or their housekeeper Pegotty. Which is fine, because Clara spoils the boy with affection, since he's really the only thing she has since her husband died. And just when David's life was happy and perfect, his mother remarries a very strict and gruff man named Mr.Murdstone who moves into their house, The Rookery with his sister Jane. Mr. Murdstone then begins to discipline David severely, always backed up by his sister, and tells Clara not to be so soft with the boy.

I do want to pause for a minute to say something about the brother-sister dynamic between Mr.Murdstone and Jane. It's ridiculously creepy and awkward. He gets married and brings her along to live with him and his new family, and she is present for everything except (I'm hoping ) the marital bedroom activities. I love my siblings as much as anyone, but if I got married, I'll send a letter from time to time, don't move in. Also there is not one mention of Jane Murdstone ever having suitors or being romantically inclined to anyone. But I digress.

So back to young David's abusive childhood. Mr.Murdstone thrashes him for falling behind in his studies. Then David gets reprimanded constantly by him for pretty much being a beacon of light in his mother's existence. At one point David bites Mr. Murdstone's knuckles during one beating (Yay David!) and is sent away to a boarding school Salem House, where he has to wear a sign that says "Beware of him, he bites". I'm guessing that is a more terrible form of a dunce cap. And did I mention the headmaster, Mr. Creakle is a terrible person who delights in punishment (Argus Filch, anyone?). Yeah that just rounds out the terribleness that David suffers through away from home. Then David comes home for a school break to find that his mother has had a baby, and his mother is not as healthy as she was before. So David tries to make the most of his time home, only to find he can't be as affectionate towards his mother as he used to without upsetting Mr.Murdstone and his sister. So David returns to Salem House, finding comfort in his friends, especially James Steerforth and Tommy Traddles. To make things worse, his mother and the baby die, and David is forced to come home to The Rookery once more, as Mr. Murdstone figures out what to do with David.

The answer to that is hard labor at a factory that Mr. Murdstone is part owner of. The motive behind this job is to make David into a man, and what better way to do that than spend hours cleaning and peeling the labels off of bottles. In a case of what modern kids would call the "fuck its", he walks from London to Dover to find surly Aunt Betsey, who is also a tad crazy. She takes him in because she thinks it's what his imaginary sister Betsey Trotwood would want her to do. Plus it gives him a place to live while his London landlord, Mr.Micawber spends some time in debtors prison for some bankruptcy issues.  News soon reaches the Murdstones that David has left the factory, so of course they come knocking on Aunt Betsey's door asking for David back. Crazy Aunt Betsey says no and sends the Murdstones packing, which you hope is the last time you ever have to read their names ever again.

In between all this, David travels to Yarmouth to see Pegotty's brother Mr. Dan'l Pegotty, and his niece Em'ly and nephew Ham, and this crazy old widow named Mrs.Gummidge. He has an adorable little crush and intimate friendship with Em'ly and they spend hours in each other's company. I also must mention that Mr.Pegotty lives in an UPSIDE DOWN BOAT. Which is pretty freakin sweet. He also takes Steerforth to Dover to meet the Pegottys and Steerforth takes a liking to Em'ly, but I'll touch on that later.

Aunt Betsey takes care of David and arranges for him to work in London again for her lawyer Mr. Wickfield, and David soon becomes close friends with his daughter Agnes. We are also introduced to the world's first closet sociopath stalker Uriah Heep, who is by far the creepiest person I have ever read about since I started reading.  He always mentions when he talks that he is so " 'umble" and comes from a humble family. But we soon realize this tall skeletal ginger albino is really a devious weasel, and I still have nightmares from time to time about him. As David grows up, he moves between jobs and tragedy hits. Little Em'ly has run away.

The truth is, Steerforth lures Em'ly away with him and Dan'l Pegotty and Ham go on a wild goose chase to find her. David helps as much as he can, by visiting Steerforth's house and talking to his mother. She has no idea that her son has pretty much abducted a young lady and only allows her to send cryptic messages home. They eventually find her, thanks to her former prostitute friend Martha, and all is well. While this is going on, David has a happy reunion with Tommy Traddles, the kid whose hair always stood on end, and they spend a lot of time catching up and have a few adventures. David also has a new job, training as a proctor under Mr. Spenlow, and falls head over heels for his daughter Dora, and the two become secretly engaged and eventually marry.

I'm going to step out and say a few very unkind things about Dora. She has the mind set of an eight year old girl, in the body of a young woman. I have no idea what David saw in her and even reading this book again, I still can't figure it out. She calls him "Doady" which is her form of his name and calls him a "naughty Blue Beard" and draws on his face with pencils. She also gets upset very easily when David tries to GENTLY correct his behavior, and he gets a housekeeper to cook and do his housework, because obviously nothing gets done. Dora lets her terrier Jip stand on a cookbook that David buys her, because it's so cute and amusing. I spent a lot of time hoping that he would just leave her or take her back to her father and ask for a refund. I think the whole reason David married her is because she had the same doting affection for him that his mother had, and it's the closest thing he has to that part of his life.

I'll leave you with this much, so I don't give away anymore of this book. I enjoyed reading it, and it is a very long read, with much paying attention to the dialogue, in particular the name changes. Aunt Betsey renames David "Trotwood Copperfield" and that is how he is referred to by Mr. Wickfield, and most of the company he meets after he starts working for Mr. Wickfield. Only the people who he knew earlier in life, like Traddles, Steerforth, Pegotty, and Mr.Micawber, call him David, unless David introduces himself by his given name.

Happy Reading!

-Alex

What the Dickens?!

This blog has just become a hot mess of abandonment. Mostly due to my neglectful ways, and how redonkulously crazy my life gets sometimes. But now I think I have something or someone I can commit to.

This man. Charles motherfucking Dickens.

This year on February 7th, good old C.D is gonna turn the big 2-0-0. And in honor of the big bicentennial, I have decided to read all of his novels, with the final book to read "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". That was his last published work and it seems like the perfect way to end the year. The entire list comprises of:

David Copperfield
Oliver Twist
Bleak House
A Christmas Carol
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby
Little Dorrit
The Pickwick Papers
Great Expectations
A Tale of Two Cities
The Old Curiosity Shop
The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
The Chimes
The Cricket on the Hearth
The Battle of Life
Dombey and Son
The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain
Hard Times: For These Times
Our Mutual Friend
Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of 'Eighty
The Mystery of Edwin Drood

This is not the order in which I plan to read them. But that's a whole lot of reading to do. Luckily, Dickens happens to be one of my favorite authors, so this will be pretty easy to do. Plus, those of you who haven't yet abandoned me and my blog can join in on this as well. I have already been plugging away at "David Copperfield", so expect a review on that in the near future. It's going to be quite an interesting year. Thank the technology Gods that Kindles exist!

Happy Reading!

-Alex