Express Yourself Weekly: Steampunk Edition

Welcome back to Express Yourself, created by Jackie @ Bouquet of Books and Dani @ Entertaining Interests!

This week, they ask: What is one thing Steampunk-ish you find fascinating from books, TV, movies and/or the internet (i.e. fashion, mechanics, idea, etc)?

To be honest, I haven't even read a Steampunk book all the way through. I tried to read some fairytales that were given a Steampunk spin, but I'd never even read the tales they were based on, so I lost interest. The closest I've come to engaging in the genre was Final Fantasy IX, which had a very Steampunk-based setting. And actually, a few of the Final Fantasy games have utilized airships (<--- I finally answered the question. Click the link to see the many airships used in Final Fantasy).

Airships are the coolest concept in the world to me. Like ships but flying through the air like planes? I love it. I was given a model of the Final Fantasy X airship for Christmas or my birthday one year (yikes, sad I can't remember, but I think my little sister got it for me).

Also, someone actually enlightened me on the fact that my story has Steampunk elements, and I didn't realize it. My metal army DOES run on steam and magic, though, so I incorporated a little more steam-powered items during one of my last drafts. I plan on reading a few Steampunks in the near future: Real Girls Don't Rust, A Conspiracy of Alchemists, and Clockwork Angel. We'll see if I'll add Steampunk to my likes. :)

Friday Freeday

Welp, it's Friday, and I don't have anything important-ish to say. Hi. How are you all?

I did start another revision on The Crystal Bearer thanks to a beta partner I picked up during Query Kombat. I didn't realize I still have 200+ nodding heads to decrease in my 300+ page story. lol But the Find feature does not lie!

Tomorrow I have a 3-hour Zumba event to attend with my sister's favorite Z-lebrity (Yes, they call them that, oy), so I have a feeling I'm going to hurt more than I did at the last one.

That's about it...so...toodles! Everyone have a great weekend!

IWSG: Reading More! and Wednesday Words

Happy 1st Wednesday!

Welcome to the Insecure Writer's Support Group, a safe haven for us insecure, self-conscious, often anxious, always nervous writers to vent and voice our issues without being judged. This group was created by the awesomely talented ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh and now even has its own website! Visit either for the list of co-hosts and other group members, and feel free to join!

So today, I realized I actually spend too much time on my phone. Not particularly tweeting, which I do a lot on my non-writer Twitter account, but playing this little game called Pixel Dungeon. I've played over 500 times (you die very easily. Think Rogue or Castle of the Winds, if you're familiar with dungeon RPGs). I can play for hours because the goal is to get to the bottom and beat a demon, I think, and if it's like other dungeon games, go all the way back upstairs and leave victorious. What's more: there are 4 characters from which to choose, so you can play 4 different ways!

Problem with that, not only are my eyes extremely tired, but I could've been reading. *slaps forehead* I have to do more of it. I used to read SO much. My cousin's pop-pop remembered that about me the other day, and I blame college for taking my enthusiasm for reading away. I should've majored in Music. Less reading. lol

That said, today I will begin reading Natalie Whipple's Transparent. Definitely visit her page today, because she's also doing a cover reveal for Trust Me, I'm A Ninja, the sequel to her novel Relax, I'm a Ninja.

Today is also my Wednesday Words, so because I'm vowing to read more, I thought I'd connect my two topics. :) Using Random.org, I will be posting a few random lines from a random page from Transparent, so you get to see what I'm reading, and I get to see what I'm getting myself into.

There are 352 pages in the Kindle Edition, so Random has chosen.....pg. 136.

That's about 38.6% into the book. There are about 36 lines in that vicinity, so Random has chosen.....line 5.

He could be messing with us, and Mom would never recover from that kind of betrayal. She'd never try again.

Having read the sample, I know a little about what this is about. I can't wait to see how things turn out for Fiona.

Express Yourself: Teeny Boppers

A very merry Tuesday, people!

Welcome back to Express Yourself, a weekly meme created by Dani @ Entertaining Interests and Jackie @ Bouquet of Books.

This week, they asked us who are celebrity crushes were when we were teenagers.

Let's see...1999-2003. (GEEZ!) I had a big crush on Taylor Hanson, Florentino from the Latin duo Servando y Florentino...then Howie D. from the Backstreet Boys...Actually, that was it. lol

I had a thing for guys with long hair. I think all but Florentino have cut theirs now.

Friday Freeday: Happy August!

Happy Friday, and Happy August! We're already in the 8th month of the year!

And as my ability to breathe is changing, I believe Fall is just around the corner! Asthmatic tendencies aside, Fall is my favorite season.

I don't really have much to say today, so I hope you all have a great week, get to the beach while you still have time (you pasty writer people), and write, write, write!

And here are some songs that mention the Summer that is (thankfully (GOD, it was hotter than hot, so much humidity)) on its way out of here!