Remember the who????

I don't know if you've seen the upcoming previews, but HOLY MOLY! There is a remake of Clash of the Titans coming out. Clash of the Titans was the first PG movie I ever saw. I remember when the announcer said: "Parental Guidance is suggested," and I was so worried because my parents weren't there to give me permission. I worried and worried. BUT, it was such a corny movie, I was ok in the end.

With that in mind, tell me about your favorite myth or folktale. Is it Zeus and his getting rid of Prometheus after he stole fire? Is it the story of Icarus flying too close to the sun? What about Poseidon causing Odysseus to wander the sea for 10 years. Or maybe, you're more of a folk tale kind of person? Johnny Appleseed? Paul Bunyan? Pecos Bill? (My favorite).

Let me know what your mind runs with.

~Anngela Schroeder

PS I'd have to say Pandora's box. I could never blame her for being curious about what was in the box. It's a woman's choice, you know? :)

History

History repeats itself, is a term that we've all heard during our lives. And, the strange thing is, that it really does. With that in mind comes the idea of repetition: repetition of plots, types of characters, and basic endings. So...what do you think was the best sequel of all times? Books or movies are eligible for discussion.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts,

~Schroeder

PS Mine would have to be any of the books from the "Anne of Green Gables" series. I loved them growing up, and the continuation of the story makes me love ANne Shirley more and more.
Movies, I'd have to say "Indiana Jones and the Quest for the Holy Grail." Epic!

Chay-Chay-Change...

I'm working on my book right now and started to reflect back on the idea and how it came to me. My story is about a present day family in France that believes they are the descendants of a child by Guinevere and Lancelot. There is a huge mystery involved and artifacts from Camelot (of course). The story began with a 'What If..." question as I was falling asleep one night. "What if I could change the ending of King Arthur's fable?" Actually, there was a little more to it than that, but that was the main idea.

SO, tell me...if you could change the ending/outcome of one book or story, what would it be? What would you change it to? Be descriptive. I'm curious... :)

Can't wait to hear from you,
~Schroeder

The Grass is Always Greener...

We live in a society of make believe. For all our reality TV, there are many things that aren't real: the characters created in World of Warcraft or D & D; supermodels looking that good 24 hours a day; or even the belief that if you graduate with a Bachelor's degree you're guaranteed a well paying job. :)

But, reality isn't all it's cracked up to be. WIth that in mind, what fantasy world would you like to live in? Middle Earth from "The Lord of the Rings" series? Forks, WA from Twilight? What about Narnia? Tell me what your ideal alternate world would be. I'm excited to find out. :)

~Schroeder

PS Mine would be 18th Century England, during the Regency period. Of course I'd have to be wealthy, because I don't want to be a servant in the house of Mr. Darcy or anything like that. :) Either that or PEI with Anne Shirley.

Exercising Your Mind...

What challenges you? There are things that I love doing that truly hurt my brain: Organizing events, crossword puzzles, reading my old college textbooks. However, even though they hurt my brain, I love the challenge of accomplishing something that is mentally stimulating.

So, what challenges you? Is it Math? Work? your Senior Project?


Can't wait to hear from you,

~Anngela Schroeder

Favorite Lines...

I'm watching my favorite movie as I type this (Pride and Prejudice), and have probably 10 favorite lines in it. What's your favorite book or movie line? Is it something well known, or is it an obscure little line that others might not notice?


Can't wait to hear from you,

~Anngela Schroeder

PS- Mine would have to be:

Movie- from Steel Magnolia's (one of my top 5 movies). "Janice Van Meter...looks like 2 pigs wrestling under a blanket."

Book- from Pride and Prejudice (top 3 books). "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

The Strength from Within...

I'm in the middle of a final edit on my novel, and have been going over the plot and themes to make sure it's enjoyable. One thing that I've noticed is that Gwen, the main character, has to deal with a few things that some people might become weakened by. Do you think that adversity makes us stronger, or only causes us to be weaker?


Can't wait to hear from you,
~Anngela Schroeder

Foiled Again...

We all have read stories wher we get to the end and are shocked by the outcome. Whether they go back to their true love, don't get the girl, or don't win the battle. What story's ending really surprised you? What story had an unexpected twist? Was it a good or bad ending?

Can't wait to hear,
~ Anngela Schroeder

PS- I'd have to say mine would be The 6th Sense. Freaky!

Fear...

Over the years, I've learned a few things about writing: Maintain the same verb tense throughout your story; make the characters appealing; Know your audience. However, one thing that I've focused on recently is fear. Every character needs to have a weakness to make them more realistic. Whether it's a fear of heights, fear of snakes, or fear of commitment [ :) ], we all fear something, even the seemingly bravest of us.

SO, what's your fear? What makes you recoil? Me? I'm afraid of most dogs. Attacked when I was little. That, and I have slight claustrophobia tendencies. What about you?


Can't wait to hear from you,

~Anngela Schroeder

Happiness...

Happiness is a state of mind. We do what we can to enjoy the world, but sometimes we have to pull from a place that is deep within us to get through the day.

What makes you happy? What brings you joy? I'm not talking about simple pleasure where you smile a little and move on. I mean pure, euphoric happiness.

ME? Obviously, my family. My husband can make me laugh and smile like no one else. He is hilarious and keeps me rolling on the floor constantly. No lie! My children are stinkin precious. I truly am blessed.

So, what brings you happiness?

Can't wait to hear.

~Anngela Schroeder :)

Music...

According to the Muse question a few days ago, music really effects our lives. What song do you think would be your 'theme song'? Is it something with a pulsating beat, like AC/DC's 'Back in Black'? Or a fun pop song, like Miley Cyrus's 'Party in the USA'? Or are you more of a classical fan of the Beatles? WOuld you be the 'Walrus'?


~Anngela Schroeder


I think I'd be John Mayer's song "Daughter's" . Whenever that comes on my IPOD it just makes me relax and gets into me. BUT, I must say, I've always wanted to be the James Taylor song 'Something in the Way She Moves'. I LOVE JT! :)

Gaming...

I got into a great discussion with a student today about how our society is losing their ability to communicate interpersonally. We are so focused on e-mails, texts, facebook, IM's; video games, movies, and youtube, that we are unable to effectively communicate. I have students that can't stay awake in my class because they're up until 3am playing World of Warcraft or Halo. I know people whose spouses are my age that have no more relationship with their partner because their spouse wants to live in this 'gaming' world that they have created, and not reality.


What do you think? Do you think this is a problem, or is it not as big a deal as I think?


~Anngela Schroeder

Plot....

Ok, today you need to think a little bit more. WHile doing some research for my book, I kept thinking, "Wow, this Gwen has a cool life. Traveling around the world to search out artifacts from Camelot. How great would that be?" Then I thought, "What book or movie would I most want my life to be like?"

After much thought, I think I'd vote for 'Emma', by Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is my ultimate favorite book, but I think the I married a Mr. Knightly, and not Mr. Darcy.


So, it's your turn. What book or movie would you like your life to be like? Can't wait to see your answers. :)

~Anngela Schroeder

Your Muse...

We all have a muse, something that seems to inspire us to be creative: Write, draw, play music, sculpt, etc. What is your muse? What consumes you and allows you to be creative when you are stumped?

For me, my muse is the Pride and Prejudice CD. All I have to do is pull that up on my itunes, and I can't stop writing. It's a wonderful thing. :)

~Schroeder

Ode to Saturday...

Oh, Saturday...how I love thee.
-Sleeping late
-Date with my son
-DInner with friends.

WHy can't every day be Saturday? :)


~Anngela

The Obvious...

All week I've been asking questions about literature and characters. Well, today, I've got to go with the obvious topic...

Who do you like in the Superbowl? My pick?

Peyton's Colts-35, Bush's Saints- 32

GO COLTS!!!!!!

Adventure...

One aspect of my book that intrigues me is the action of it. Granted, there is no shoot'em'ups, as my Grandpa used to say, but it definetly has action and intriuge. With that in mind, tell me about your favorite action hero. is it Indiana Jones? Benjamin Franklin Gates? Jason Bourne? Or even Han Solo. Tell me why.


~Anngela

PS- Mine is definetly Indiana Jones. How can you not love Harrison Ford?

Romance...

One of the hardest things for me to do was decide if I should have an element of romance between the 2 main characters in my newest book, The Stone of Camelot. I didn't want Gwen to be thought of as a sappy heroine who is just as interested in finding a husband as finding the stolen artifact and Adele. I wanted her to be a cross between Indiana Jones and Nancy Drew; to never be the victim because her emotions got in the way. I believe I succeeded in that. The element of romance is just a slight side bar, and not a main topic throughout the novel.


On that note, tell me who your favorite romantic characters are. Romeo and Juliet? Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy? How about Scarlett and Rhett from Gone with the Wind? What made them your favorite characters? Was it the unrequited love? Their devotion? The fact that they DIDN'T end up with each other at the end? or the fact that they surpassed all obstacles to stay together.

Can't wait to hear from you,


~Anngela

Favorites...

Well, last night was a little rough. I started to finalize the copy on a chapter after it was edited, and realized I wasn't happy with it at all. Instead, I went back and deleted almost the entire chapter and started over again. :-( BUT, if it's not perfect, it's not worth it, right?

Well, changing things around made me think of favorites...favorite, teams, favorite movies, favorite books. So, today, tell me who your favorite characters from a book are. Are you an Elizabeth Bennett fan? How about John Proctor? Maybe Jay Gatsby? Or even Shylock from the Merchant of Venice.


Can't wait to hear from you! :)


~Anngela

Oh yea, I'm an Elizabeth Bennett, Anne Shirley fan! <3

Questions for the Day....

I'm going to start jotting down some daily thoughts, about books, life, sports, whatever's on my mind, and I'd love to have you respond to them.

Today's Question:

What do you think is more important...a great story line, or great characters?

Can't wait to hear your answers!


~Anngela