What's App-ening Wednesday? #11: Disney's Frozen Free Fall

Hello everyone! What's App-ening Wednesday has officially made the move from the main blog over to The BLT here.

Today we bring you ANT's take on Disney's Frozen Free Fall!

"The latest Candy Crush knock-off that has hit the App Store is Disney's Frozen Free Fall. Granted the concept is nothing new, but the delightfully sparkly graphics means that I can just let it go (heh heh...hm) and enjoy the game. The characters from Frozen, that sit above the screen as you play, are a particularly nice touch. If you enjoyed the movie and are a fan of glitter then this app is definitely for you."

- ANT

Book review: ConscienceSarah on 'Sabriel'

Title: Sabriel
Author: Garth Nix
ISBN: 978-0007137312
Original image

Review:
Before I start this review, I’d just like to congratulate the author of Sabriel, Garth Nix on having the best name ever. Apparently it is actually his real name, which is pretty cool, and I think it really sets the bar high for any aspiring authors who want to come up with memorable pseudonyms.

Anyway, onto his book. I really enjoyed reading Sabriel, much more than I thought I was going to at about the ‘Chapter 2’ mark. This was mostly because the first couple of chapters are set in Ancelstierre, a much less interesting land than the Old Kingdom, which I’d been given a taste of in the prologue. It’s a pretty good job the prologue was there actually, because I may well have given up on the book otherwise, thinking it would just be set in Ancelstierre. It’s a difficult setting because it’s not quite Earth and not quite Old Kingdom and I found it hard to place in my mind. Nevertheless, once the story managed to get going into the Old Kingdom, I found myself getting into it a bit more; that’s when the magic and necromancy started really getting good. I thought the concept of the land of the Dead was really effective. It’s a simple system to understand, but manages to remain eerie and other-worldly which I think is quite a difficult balance to get right. I was also convinced by the end that Sabriel’s branch of necromancy actually required some skill, because at the beginning I was thinking ‘Bells? Really? Anyone can ring bells.’ (I’m aware I’m probably showing myself as being completely ignorant about the art of necromancy here, so apologies if anyone is offended by my stupidity.) In a nutshell, I think Nix did a great job of making ‘binding the dead’ cool.

Whilst there are some interesting characters in Sabriel, there aren’t actually very many of them. This isn’t because there are loads of boring, unnecessary characters; there just aren’t many characters in general. I wouldn’t say this is necessarily a criticism, it just means that a lot of the book is made up of Sabriel’s disclosed thoughts. However, out of the characters I have to pick from, Mogget is definitely my favourite. Although he’s frustrating at times, his sarcastic humour made me smile (I rarely lol at books) and I feel he’s a worthy companion for Sabriel. I was also very, very happy and excited when the character of Touchstone was introduced. The reason I was so excited? Well, sad, predictable and shallow as it is, I was crying out for a love interest. I’m actually very ashamed of myself for this and I was shocked at how easily I fell into the trap of wondering whether Sabriel and Touchstone would ever get together, but it made for an enjoyable read. Sabriel’s character was very well developed too, and Nix used the clever plot device of having one character who only meets her at the beginning and the end to demonstrate how much she’s grown as a person. Also, I never developed a strong dislike for her which is a plus for any main character (or maybe it’s just me that finds main characters get annoying, I don’t know).

The story itself was actually structured differently to how I expected it to be. There was an event a few chapters before the end that I thought would be the climax, but after it was over there was another climax. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but as a reader it really threw me off. If anything though, I think it helped make the final few chapters even more dramatic because I was ten times as shocked at every plot twist than I would normally be. The ending also left a suitable amount of intrigue in my mind as to what would happen in the two sequels. One question I really hope get’s answered: what was Sabriel’s dad’s real name? I shall keep you posted as to whether I find out this insignificant plot point.

ConscienceSarah

Blog currently undergoing transformation...

In the following weeks, we aim to revive this blog and turn it into a platform focused on all things entertainment-related!

The launch will be on Monday 8th September. You won't want to miss it ;)

Perfect Sandwiches

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #13: A late Ode for my Publisher

A late Ode for my Publisher
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

Their punctuality sooths my inner sloth 
They forget the odd capital and mark of question 
But my works are on time 
Unlike my own rhymes 
Which neither have a time nor a direction 
Perhaps I should write ten at a time 
Cough cough 
I’ve done that already 
It was fun 
I felt special 
So I thank you for your acceptance 
Your artistic digestion 
No matter how blunt or racial 
I know I’m no poet 
And yes I do know it 
And with my poems you can’t be expectant 
And thank you for Gerry 
And on the contrary 
Thank you master 
I really owe you

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #12: Dedication to Mrs Holdich

Dedication to Mrs Holdich
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

Beauty, birds and nests
Don't shake the tree or get shived in the chest
Animal cruelty isn't funny.

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #11: Men's cardigans

Men's cardigans
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

What are men's cardigans
Mandigans
I see what I did there
You don't need to
You don't need your eyes
Don't let the Wadz bite 

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #10: Oesophagus

Oesophagus
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

What does water go down
An oesophagus
No
An apocalypse, to and fro
A flood
Sticks and mud
A river of pain
A river of blood
Donate.

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #9: Blisters

Blisters
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

Don't pop blisters
It hurts

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #8: Hornet

Hornet
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

Hornet in my ear
How queer?
I killed it
Bullseyeee
That is all.

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #7: Colours

Colours
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

Blues, greens, sunset oranges
Golden browns and horizon reds
These are colours.
I like colours.

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #6: Things I cannot let you love

Things I cannot let you love
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

TK Maxx, The Tourist
Crumbs in butter
Grease 2
When you learn to ride a bike they say they won't let go
But yes they do
Smule on my phone
Durian fruit - hobo's feet
Brian Cox, mixed up socks
Rolf Harris
His board, his beard
Black sleet
The lion and the bear from my childhood
Teletubbies, eh oh
Oh no

Things I cannot let you love.
Including me.

Creative Writing Club Round-Up #4: 20/12/2013

Hey guys! Well, the first term of CWC has been fun, and with the stress of competition writing over for Christmas, we spent the last session having a well earned rest. CWC really started to live up to its alternative name ‘the Eating Lunch and Chatting club’ but don’t worry, it will be business as usual after the holidays.

ANT made the session memorable by trying her first ever mince pie! It took much persuasion but she did take the leap of faith eventually, trusting our very high opinion of this Christmas food classic... sadly she was disappointed. Personally, I think it was a mistake admitting to her that they contain raisins but at least she tried *sigh*!

After everyone else had finished their mince pies (someone else finished ANT’s) I took the opportunity to make Raven claws out of the casings. This was very entertaining for a while but they were a little impractical. No one could complain though because they served their purpose in keeping me occupied.

DisneyLoverMolly and Master were very nearly absent from this final meeting but we couldn’t have been more thrilled when they said they could stay. DisneyLoverMolly made us all laugh by trying to get noticed as she walked to and from CWC in the hat from my Christmas cracker. Nobody commented on it, or laughed, or even gave her a funny look. This left her concluding that everyone (even the people who don’t know her) expects crazy behaviour from her! Don’t worry though DisneyLoverMolly, we all love your quirky little ways :)

So to end the Christmas term, I have two Christmas-based quotes for you all to enjoy. The first is inevitably from Harry Potter (and the Order of the Phoenix) to remind everyone what joy books can bring at Christmas – although Dumbledore prefers socks:

Hermione: “‘Thanks for the book, Harry,’ she said happily. ‘I’ve been waiting for New Theory of Numerology for ages!’”

And the second is a Charles Dickens quote from ‘A Christmas Carol’ which I think is a really interesting take on Christmas. Enjoy.

“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.”

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

ConscienceSarah :)

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #5: Pineapples, oranges and lemons

Pineapples, oranges and lemons
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

Pineapples, oranges and lemons
My ethnic friends like more than just melons.

Don't stereotype.

Creative Writing Club Round-Up #3: 13/12/2013

Hey guys! What excitement there was at CWC this week. With (nearly) all members back in action, three finished competition entries and chocolate biscuits, in my opinion it was the best CWC we've had so far!!

So, let's start with the competition: after much struggling over word counts and phrasing, Master, DisneyLoverMolly and I, managed to complete our stories in time for the club! We each had to read them out, which was actually pretty scary, especially when you know your work is being heard by the keenest writers in the Academy. After some issues over our words, where we ended up having to defend our choices, we got to keep our stories more or less as we wrote them...

ANT had a bit of a traumatic week as some plot holes were found in her story. Like a true professional, she took the criticism on the chin and reminded us all that you can't improve unless you take suggestions on board. I'm happy to say, she is changing the end of her story, hopefully in time to be submitted along with ours!

On an unrelated note, Master thought that ANT had some chips in her pasta... Wherever ANT goes, a connection to salt seems to follow.

Back to the writing now: the February competition is still on our radar but unfortunately someone forgot the sheet this week so no progress was made... I will mention no names... You know who you are...

This week's quote's from Doctor Who and it is about Harry Potter. I know I'm supposed to be promoting reading, which this is, but I mostly put it in because I love it when awesome things cross-reference each other!!!!

Martha: So magic and stuff. That's a surprise. It's all a bit Harry Potter.

The Doctor: Wait 'til you read book seven. Oh I cried.

(So did I :p)

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #4: Things

Things
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

Bottles, boots and beavers
These are things.

Creative Writing Club Round-Up #2: 06/12/2013

Hey guys! We were a bit low on numbers for CWC this week as ShoeLobber, DisneyLoverMolly and Cap. were all missing. This left ANT, Master and myself to hold up the fort, but there was plenty of fun to be had...

As Master's salad has featured before on the main blog, it seems only right to mention the dramatic change in its composition that shocked the club: the addition of broccoli!! Master made it quite clear that the broccoli was unwelcome, criticising it for being 'all texture and no taste'. Even ANT had a taste which prompted the quote of the session: 'it tastes of health'. Who'd have known broccoli could cause such a stir?

When we calmed down after that vegetable episode, it was time for Master and ANT to read and critique my 100 word story inspired by the Little Mermaid. It was gorier than they expected, but the main problem was that I was 1 word over the word count! Obviously this can't be permitted to enter a competition and many alterations were suggested, but I think the favourite was making 'pulsatingtorrent' a new word, thank you ANT for that.

It was actually the word 'torrent' that ANT had the biggest issue with. She associated it with video piracy but I was using it in the sense of water. Research into the dictionary definition proved that it could be used in the context I was using it in but ANT was correct in associating it with video piracy (which we all steer well clear of). For anyone interested, the online dictionary gives the first definition of torrent as 'a stream of water flowing with great rapidity and violence.'

Finally, with the closing date of the 100 word story competition drawing closer, we have a new competition to pursue for February so we'll never be at a loss for something to do but more about that next time.

Hmmm, amidst all the excitement I wonder if anyone else spotted that not much writing was done this week...

My book related quote of the week is from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Maybe Xander spent too much time researching demons and not enough doing his English: 

Jenny: You kids really dig the library, don't you?  

Buffy: We're literary.  

Xander: To read makes our speaking English good.

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #3: On the floor

On the floor
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

On the floor
What an alarm
Why you ask?
He has no arms.

Creative Writing Club Round-Up #1: 29/11/2013

Hello there! Welcome to the first ever edition of Creative Writing Club Round-Up! Here's what happened this week, documented brilliantly by ConscienceSarah:

Hey guys, it’s ConscienceSarah here! Just keeping you all updated on our literature related news.

So, today in CWC we were continuing with our task of a 100 word short story based around a fairy tale. This was originally for a competition but it’s now a bit like a challenge that no-one has cracked. The pressure is on this week though, as next week we will be reading aloud what we have so far (eek!)

More progress was made by some than others but it’s amazing what you can do when you’re fuelled by chocolate...

Cap. seems to be stuck with a bit of writer’s block but I can assure you all her ideas are in the pipeline. She spent the session helping ANT with what might turn out to be a winning story from what I’ve heard so far. Not sure whether I should give away too much as it might be posted on this blog in a few weeks but I can say that ANT turns a classic fairy tale on its head in her own dark way as she fuses it with a bit of Greek mythology!

I also asked ShoeLobber whether she enjoyed the club today. Naturally her only response was ‘I always enjoy Creative Writing Club’. Her story’s also still a work in progress but I’m sure it will be amazing after some of the awesome essays she’s pulled out of the bag in English.

Master also spent some time commenting on ANT’s unique writing style. She claims that if everyone in the club wrote about the same thing, she’d still be able to identify ANT’s. ANT is bemused by this but I think it’s something we should definitely try.

Meanwhile, DisneyLoverMolly and I decided to combine our efforts to create a story based around the Little Mermaid. However, after some good initial ideas we decided to go our separate ways due to our artistic differences. We have now decided to have a little competition, writing about the same theme but each with our own take on it. I’ll bring you the results on this next time. We also helped another member of the club in naming purple things for her story. These suggestions ranged all the way from aubergines to Cadbury World!

So that’s it for today. I thought I’d end with a book related quote and as it’s my first round-up it had to be from Harry Potter, surprisingly though it’s one of Ron’s, and a very wise one it is too:

‘When in doubt, go to the library.’

The latest addition

Hey peeps!

So, ConscienceSarah had an idea that, since the main blog has 'Weekly News Round-Up', here we should have a 'Creative Writing Club Round-Up', which will sum up what has been going on in Creative Writing Club! This will be updated every Friday, starting from tomorrow!

You won't want to miss it... ;p

Wadz's Poetry Wednesday #2: Stealing Pens

Stealing Pens
By A.E.D. Wadsworth

Steal pens
But give them back
Or give your life up
I'm looking at you Ben.