Screwed-up photos, non-screwed-up photos, and a clip from my novel

[raven_estrella]

Hi everyone! Hope you're doing well. I had a really nice, creative weekend. I think it's because for once it was rainy outside. I love "bad" weather of any sort. It makes me feel like there's something going on, like the world is a dynamic place. It also makes me feel cozy and happy when I stay inside to write. I ended up spending most of my

Comments

Enjoyed the excerpt!

[kim_maurice]

Hi Brenna,

I enjoyed reading this excerpt from your novel! It paints an interesting childhood portrait of Elena that comes across as believable and real. I can tell she's going to be a smart cookie in the goings-on of your novel.

Sorry a glitch happened on some of your photos. The pow-wow photos are colorful!

Keep up the good work!

Love,

Dad

Re: Enjoyed the excerpt!

[raven_estrella]

Thank you, Daddy! Although I must say--you might be a biased critic. : ) I can't wait to have you read the rest of my novel.

[dwolf34]

The exerpt is cool. Elena's parents are going to make her a basket case, though. LOL! The teacher is an awesome one - very nice job!

I sort of liked the pics, warped as they were. Then again, I warp photography myself. Example here. Took about six hours of tedious work. Some of yours would make great backgrounds, too! Or wallpaper. Hope you got a chance to recapture some of those images, though.

[raven_estrella]

Wow! I really like what you did with your photo. Did you use Photoshop? I love what Photoshop can do by way of special effects...

I did get the chance to recapture my corrupted images, so everything turned out for the better. : ) I'd rather have the corrupted images and good ones than have just the good ones.

Thanks so much for your commentary on my excerpt! It's interesting to hear that you think Elena's parents will make her a basket case. That actually didn't occur to me when I was writing. Is it because Elena's mom just wants her to deal with the resentment in her class? Clarify that for me if you can, because I find that intriguing.

[dwolf34]

I sort of like to do the work myself, so I just use GIMP. I like some of the effects Photoshop creates, too, and keep considering picking it up.

Mostly it's because Elena's mom doesn't seem to be listening to the teacher, and doesn't want to give her daughter the opportunity to grow that being challenged is for a brilliant child. Dealing with the resentment (and other things kids do to each other) isn't the only problem smart kids have. They often end up feeling isolated at home as well as at school. Normal people seem slow and stupid to a brilliant mind, and they yearn for friends who can keep up with them. When they don't find them, they fail to socialize, and have problems with it most of their lives. It's nice her parents aren't making a big deal of her brilliance, and that will help mold her. But by not acknowledging it, they're leaving her wondering why she's different, why she doesn't fit in, what she's doing wrong

[raven_estrella]

Thanks for sharing more of your thoughts on Elena's parents. It was really helpful for me to hear that. You're right--I think it does work well with how the story progresses. Elena ends up not really knowing how smart she is. She lacks self-confidence in a lot of ways. She's confused. I probably sympathize a bit more with Elena's parents--but fundamentally, I agree with you.

I like GIMP, too. If you're going to spring for Photoshop, you may want to look up the release date for the next version (CS4). I think it's coming out sometime soon, and it always stinks to buy software and then have the better one come out right afterwards.

Don't worry, it didn't sound like you were on a soapbox! I REALLY appreciate your feedback. I'll probably post the second part of that scene before too long. I'm curious to see what you'd think of it.

[black_sheepster]

I liked the excerpt!!! You should rename the reading raptor Rodrick. It's easier to say. ;) By the way thanks for formatting my usb drive. Cockny Juicle!!!!! Conch case! >:DDDDD

[raven_estrella]

Rodrick the Reading Raptor? Hehe! You're welcome for the USB drive. You buttmunch!

hey from Jen

[anonymous]

Brenna! I love reading your stuff. I do think those photos are kinda cool and artsy. and i know the kinds of frustrations with memory cards...i still haven't been able to get some of my photos from Paris and England from last summer off one of my cards, the computer can't read it, nor can the developing things at walmart or walgreens, and the camera says something about reformatting it, which would delete all the memory. so i'm pissed at it.
anyway-
I'd love to read more of your novel! your excerpt got me hooked.
but yeah, i'm more reliable on facebook and e-mail, so i'll catch ya there in the future. ^_^
<3 Jennifer

Re: hey from Jen

[inr_ainbows]

I enjoyed the excerpt from your book. I'm intrigued and want to read more about Elena. She seems very interesting. ;)
Also, the pictures do look pretty cool. I like the tulip one best.

Re: hey from Jen

[raven_estrella]

The tulip picture is my own favorite, too! And thanks a bunch for the positive feedback. It helps a lot. I was starting to think my novel sucked. Now I'm having a lot of fun with Elena. I have plans for a scene where she gets into some trouble with her high school friends. She's a complex character. : )

Sorry I've been so obnoxious in my requests for feedback!

Re: hey from Jen

[anonymous]

Nono! It's only natural to want some feedback. I had actually been away for a bit, so I'm glad you had asked, or I would've missed that entry (it was pushed to the next page on my friend's page).

And sorry for replying to Jen's comment. I meant to make a comment of my own. XD

Good Story

[anonymous]

Hi Brenna!

Your story was engaging and well written. You put in the perfect amount of detail--enough to tell the story, but not too much as to bore people.

Great work. Keep it up!

Re: Good Story

[raven_estrella]

Thanks so much! Positive feedback is the best kind. : ) It helps me move forward and keeps me from getting discouraged. And who might have given me these nice compliments? ; )