Adventures of an English Major

I am an English undergraduate, an amateur writer, a video game geek, a zombie enthusiast, a chick, and a self-professed god(dess) – 'god' sounds cooler.

If you're here looking for the answers to all life's questions, you're out of luck. I guess I'm one of those Greek gods who is more interested in getting laid than passing out wisdom to the masses.
 

If you're here looking for advice on writing and/or insight into literature, then only time can tell if I'm your woman. I like to fancy myself someone with an educated opinion on matters of the craft, however, please remember that I am merely a student who has much to learn operating under the opinion that a passion for a field can make up for some degree of experience.
 

My (call it a lack of) experience:
 

I spent four years as an editor on my high school literary publication, so I feel I have the right to comment on teen writing, at the very least. My senior year, I also served as the group's president because, yes, I am that kind of awesome. Senior year, I also doubled up on my English requirements, and received a four on the Advanced Placement Literature exam, which is pretty damn good if you are not aware.
 

I am currently a sophomore in college and I plan on starting a combined Bachelors/Masters program in the spring of this year. After that, I'll be on to a Ph.D. program.
 

I write every day, whether I churn out fanfiction (see forthcoming article on the virtues of) or original work. I read every day, whether it's classical poetry, horror, humor, or contemporary.

What this blog is:
 

This is my own personal rant page, where I can praise things I like and tear up things I don't. In an idyllic situation, this is a place where new (or maybe even seasoned) writers can learn a thing or two, or at least, share in the discussion of literary topics.
 

What this blog is not:
 

This is not the end all, be all for your writing needs. Let's face it: I don't have a degree, I'm not published, I'm not even all that great. I'm just looking to share what little I know about things I love. If you want an expert, I suggest you begin with the title On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King, which is the first, and greatest, resource that I can recommend to anyone interested in writing.

What I read:
 

Some of my top favorite works are Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, and roughly anything by Stephen King (I'll single out The Green Mile and Misery as two can't miss selections).
 

As a student of literature, I have an appreciation for that which many others might find boring or archaic. And, hell, there are quite a few books I fell asleep reading, but I'd still recommend for various reasons relating to the techniques involved in composing them. At the same time, I'm floored by horror and all kinds of non-stuffy, experimental stuff too.
 

I do have a deep loathing for most poetry. I'm highly critical of it, and you pretty much have to be Keats to interest me. A few works that I do love, are “When I Have Fears,” by John Keats, “Narcissus and Echo,” by Fred Chappell, and “A Whippoorwill in the Woods” by Amy Clampitt.

 

F.A.Q. (This should be called 'questions that I feel like answering preemptively'):
 

1. How can I ask you a grammar/literature/writing question?
 

Comment on one of my posts or message me directly. If I've answered it before, I'll direct you to it. If I haven't I'll let you know, and probably post on the topic as soon as I get a chance.
 

2. How would you classify yourself as a writer?
 

I consider myself a minimalist, much like Ann Beattie or Chuck Palahniuk, only not as good as either. I also draw a bit of inspiration from writers who focus on a down-to-earth, everyman kind of style like Stephen King or Annie Proulx.
 

3. So, hot-shot, if you're so great, what do you do for a living?
 

I'm a waitress for the time-being, however, I am applying in various places for a position as an office assistant for the duration of school. After that, I'd like to teach literature at the college-level.
 

4. Why do you even do this, loser?
 

Because I feel like it.
 

5. Can you read my story/poem/term paper?
 

No. I'm not the editor of a literary publication, nor am I part of the writing facility at your local university. If you happen to be a part of a fanfiction community that I'm a member of, you may very well get my feedback without asking. If you're one of those people, feel free to hit me up for stuff like that because, chances are, I like you. Otherwise, if I'm not getting paid, I probably won't want to do it.

6. Really, my writing is good.
 

Cool. Get published and refer me to it.
 

7. I think it's cool that you – as a female – like video games (well, thank you). What do you play?
 

Right now, on the 360, I've been catching up on Fable II and I play Left 4 Dead online pretty frequently. For the computer I just bought the Sims 3 and am acting out an elaborate personal fantasy involving a sim representing myself who is currently a wicked awesome bestselling author, and is pursuing a sim representing a very hot acquaintance of mine. I've also begun playing the original Fallout from 1997 after falling head over heels in love with Fallout 3, which is my all-time favorite game.
 

8. Are you hot?
 

Why, yes, I am.
 

9. What is your favorite thing in the whole world?
 

Coffee.
 

10. I have a major problem with you.
 

Cool, hit me with it. I'll be sure to respond. If I feel you're right, I'll let you know. If I feel you're wrong, it could go one of two ways. If you're rude, I'll be snarky. If you're nice, I'll be nice. Either way I'll provide citations backing up my opinions where necessary.
 

11. Are you done flattering yourself with this unnecessarily long F.A.Q.?
 

I'm never done flattering myself. But the F.A.Q. is over.

Alright, from here on in, I resolve to write at least one entry per week on a topic related to writing and/or literature. And it'll be wicked cool. Yeah, that.

I'm thinking it's going to go like this:
- Primarily: Book Reviews + Grammar thingies + Topics in Writing + Nerdy rants
- Also: Little things that I like, such as video games, movies, and other things that fasinate my Nerdy McNerdinstien brain.

I shall make something of myself. Starting tonight, I write. Insert heroic pose as you see fit. Preferably me with a cape and a stunning moustashe.

Corollary: I am now editing my past posts so that I can prune this baby up. Some things will be lost, but probably for the better.

I found this sweet game called Thule Trail; basically an updated version of the Oregon Trail game - pretty fun. It asks for your name and passengers - I filled my car with friends. So as you go along things happen - and one eerily accurate one -

Part two. Yeah. Stuff.

New drabble series in response to Mandy's story in response to my FF.net profile that says "...complex moral dilemmas ('trapped on an island and starving; do we eat Fred?')"

Will be all drabbles - not my eepfff drabbles that are like 500 words, but real 100 word thingies.

I should be working on my Patriot fanfic...