World Book Day

Today is World Book Day!

What is World Book Day?

World Book and Copyright Day (also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Day) is observed on April 23, 2015. The annually celebrated day is organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. It was first celebrated in 1995. [Source]

As a bibliophile, writer and English teacher, I couldn't not post about it. So, a colleague and I made up this little survey for you! 

1. Top 5 Favourite Authors?

2. Top 5 Favourite Book Series?

3. Top 5 Favourite Fiction Books (NOT part of a series)?

4. Least Favourite Book?

5. Favourite Genre/s?

6. Least Favourite Genre/s?

7. Favourite Childhood Book?

8. Top 5 Female Characters From Books?

9. Top 5 Male Characters From Books?

10. Book City/Country/World you’d like to visit/live?

11. Action Of A Fictional Character You Still Can’t Forgive?

12. “Classic” Book You Think Is Overrated?

13. Your Favourite Book To Film/Mini-Series Adaptation?

14. Guilty Pleasure Book/Author?

15. Favourite Non-Fiction Book/s?

16. First Fictional Character You Had A Crush On?

17. The Fictional Character You Most Hate?

18. Death In A Book You Will Never Be Over?

19. Book I Am Now Reading:

20. Book You Recommend Everyone Should Read:

My Answers:

1. JK Rowling- Jodi Picoult- Rainbow Rowell- Cecelia Ahern- Nicholas Sparks
2. Harry Potter- Anne of Green Gables- Lord of the Rings- Trixie Belden- Percy Jackson
3. The Book Thief (Marcus Zusak)- Rebecca (Daphne Du Maurier)- Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)- Fangirl (Rainbow Rowell)- PS I Love You (Cecelia Ahern) 
4. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
5. Romance, Drama, Historical
6. Science Fiction
7. First one I remember hearing about is Cinderella. According to my mum, I could find it in the dark. 
8. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter), Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables), Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Jo March (Little Women), Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter)
9. Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables), Harry Potter (Harry Potter), Mr Darcy (Pride and Prejudice), Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility), Sirius Black (Harry Potter)
10. The Wizarding World in Harry Potter. (This won over Avonlea. And Middle Earth. It was close though).
11. In Little Women when Amy burned Jo's manuscript. 
12. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I've never been able to finish it.
13. Anne of Green Gables movies in 1985 and 1987 (you can't really count the third because it doesn't follow the books). And Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca in 1940. 
14. Danielle Steel. 
15. The Diary of Anne Frank. 
16. Gilbert Blythe, Anne of Green Gables. 
17. Dolores Umbridge, Harry Potter. 
18. Sirius Black, Harry Potter. 
19. Briar Rose, by Jane Yolen 
20. Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell. 

[PERSONAL NOTE: For those who know me, no- Elphaba, Fiyero and Wicked is NOT on the list. Because whilst it started as a book, I prefer the characters in their musicalverse forms. I made myself stick to book forms/characters only.]

Wicked movie rumours 2016

Rumours about the Wicked movie are nothing new. I've been hearing about them since I first found Wicked in 2010.
Then, it was going to be released in 2014.

Rumours have kicked off 2015 by saying that the movie will be released in 2016. It's all over the internet (this is just one article of 100, but they all pretty much say the same thing), but I'm not getting excited. Yet. Here is why:

1. These aren't the first rumours we've heard. 

They've been floating around for years and since the success of Frozen and Idina Menzel's become more popular among the mainstream, the rumours have only peaked.

They're going to cast Idina; they're not going to cast Idina; they want Lea Michele for Elphaba (I have mixed feelings about this, but mostly towards 'no'. Can she sing it? Hell yes. Can she act it? ... I'm not convinced); Harry Styles will be Fiyero (No offence to 1D fans, but... please no); etc, etc.

It took until last year that Stephen Schwartz finally said they were "gearing up"to make it and looking at the script to make the screenplay.

It's like the Boy Who Cried Wolf. There might actually be a wolf in the village this time, but I'll need to see a few missing sheep before I believe it.

2. If you read the article... 

"[A 2016 release date] is the goal, but I don’t know whether we’ll make that goal or not. We will make the movie, but like I said, the bar is really high. We’re going to scrutinise our work on the screenplay and our prep on the movie, and when we feel like it’s ready, okay. We’re not going to shoot to a release date is what I’m saying. It’s in the works, it’s not in a rush."

That is a quote from producer Marc Platt. 2016 is the goal. He doesn't know if they'll make that goal. "It's in the works, it's not in a rush."

This supports so many months worth of articles where Platt, Schwartz or anyone else involved with the musical has stated that it's not a priority to make the movie- especially when the musical continues to do so well all around the world.

So, until we get a 100% official release date, I'm not holding my breath. Anything could happen between now and then.


3. Timing

You know what else is coming out 2016? Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. 
FB is coming out in November of next year. Which means Wicked would have to be on a similar time frame to be released next year, if not further advanced- depending on when in 2016 it would be released.

There was an article on FB the other day that said they're planning to start filming late this summer (Northern Hemisphere summer, that is). We don't have a FB cast either, but it's expected in the next few months, from what I understand.

Now, I'm assuming FB would have more special effects than the Wicked movie (but I guess that depends on what they actually do with the Wicked movie), which I'm assuming means more time in post-production to do all the effects? (Yes? Film people correct me if I'm wrong).

But either way, to be released in 2016, I'm assuming Wicked would have to be filmed at least in the same time period, maybe a bit later?

So if we don't have any casting news by mid-year, I'm assuming the movie will be delayed past 2016.


I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong, and everything will go according to plan. Maybe 2016 will be the year. This is just my opinion, and I'm not exactly an expert on the film industry and how it works. And I do definitely want there to be a movie, mostly to help my pain once Wicked finishes it's run in Australia this year.

In a perfect world, everyone would agree on the cast and be thrillified, but I can't see that happening either.

I'm nervous about casting and wary about changes, but I will reserve judgement until I see the movie- whenever that is.

This happened at the school assembly today

Today was school assembly today. And to be honest, they're usually not interesting. They weren't when I was a student, and they're not now that I'm a teacher. 

But today was awesome. Here's why: 

1. Year 12 commandeered the assembly, because it's the last one before they graduate (it was planned, but the other students didn't know that). 

2. This was done with this clip from Harry Potter

before one of the kids entered as Darth Vader and "kidnapped" the principal and all the kids entered the hall to this music.

3. There were Teacher vs. Student Lip Synching Battles! No I did not take part.

ROUND 1: Single Ladies vs. Fancy. 

ROUND 2: Love is an Open Door vs. Reflection. 

ROUND 3: Don't Stop Me Now vs. Ice Ice Baby.

The students won, which I think was kinda biased as the student body were voting.

4. A student serenaded his girlfriend and asked her to the formal (senior prom). She said yes.

5. They made a speech and apologised for everything they'd ever done to a teacher (such as throwing a kidney across a science lab).  

6. They exited the hall to The Circle of Life. 

Basically, it was awesome.

Book Review: Fangirl

As a fanfiction reader (since 2007), writer (unofficially since 2003, officially since 2005, publishing since 2008- but that’s a whole other story) and just general fan of fanfiction, I was intrigued by the idea of a novel that features fanfiction predominantly.

Fanfiction isn’t something that is really seen in pop culture, unless it’s to single out “nerdy” characters or to mock those who write it (this is sometimes done with more affection than others). Futurama, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and Supernatural are just some shows that have mentioned fanfiction.

Most people still don’t know what it is. Or if they do, they think it’s either 50 Shades of Grey- type stuff (which even if I don’t read it, I know there’s a lot of it out there); or crap written by 12-13 year olds (again, there is a lot of that out there. A lot. It's true. I look back at my early stuff and shudder. Shudder, I tell you.) Or, for some reason, if people are aware of fanfiction, it’s always the slash pairings they’re aware of. Or maybe that's just the people I meet... 

So I was really intrigued and excited about the concept of Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell. Where the main character is an 18 year old girl starting college who writes fanfiction for the immensely popular and pop culture phenomenon, Simon Snow series (which is a Harry Potter type series. Another reason this book caught my interest).

Let me just start by saying, I have related to many fictional characters in my time. Anne Shirley, Jo March, Beth March (yes, both March girls. And sometimes Meg. But never Amy), Hermione Granger, Elphaba Thropp are the foremost.

And now, there’s Cather Avery.

Yep, Cather. And her twin sister Wren (Cather-Wren, Catherine. Get it? There’s a story behind that. You’ll have to read the book to find that out!)

She’s an 18 year old girl, starting college and moving away from home for the first time. She’s obsessed with Simon Snow and has been for years; and for the first few weeks she lives off protein bars and peanut butter she’s stashed in her room because she’s too afraid to ask where the dining hall is and how it works.

This is so me (although Simon Snow is Harry Potter and Delta Goodrem- and now Wicked. And I didn’t live out of home until I started teaching. And my stashed food would be nutella and protein bars. But I have been known to do ridiculous things to avoid new situations and what I deem are stupid questions. My last school, it took me a month to get up the courage to ask where the staff toilets were).

The other difference is that Cath’s main pairing that she ships is Simon and his roommate/nemesis Baz, whereas I don’t write or read slash fic. But the point is, I get this girl. 

Wren has decided to enjoy college life, doesn’t seem as into the Simon Snow fandom anymore and doesn’t want to share a room with her twin- for the first time in their lives. I don’t have a twin, but I get the feeling of sibling rejection. Or just rejection, really.

sob

The world is eagerly awaiting the eighth and final Simon Snow book to be released, which brought back all the feels from the time we spent waiting for Deathly Hallows to be released in 2007. To this day, I don’t know if I’ve ever dreaded and simultaneously wanted something so badly in my life… except maybe when we were waiting for Deathly Hallows Part 2 to come out in cinemas.

Cath has been working and posting her version of the final book, Carry On, for two years and is determined to finish before the actual book is released.

She is really excited to take a Fiction writing class at college, from a real author… only to discover her teacher doesn’t like fanfiction.

The novel focuses on Cath’s journey through her first year of college, between classes, boys, friends and family issues. She really finds herself and learns to stand on her own feet throughout the novel, which is really great to see. Cath comes a long way, in a much shorter time than it took me.

In between the chapters are excerpts from the Simon Snow books, and Cath’s own fanfiction.

If I had one criticism about Fangirl, it’s that the fanfiction is excellent. Really, really good. Aside from the subtext of romance in Cath’s fanfics between Simon and Baz, it’s hard to separate canon from non-canon. And whilst there is some well-written, very well-written and amazingly well-written fanfiction out there; my experience with fanfiction (especially in a big fandom like “Simon Snow”, or Harry Potter) the majority is not that amazing. Or maybe that’s just on Fanfiction.net. 

Even if something has a lot of reviews and people following it, doesn't necessarily mean it's well-written. God, I sound like a snob. Sorry, I don't mean to. If I could find that much fanfiction of that high quality, I would be a very happy girl. And just to be clear, I place my own works at the “well-written, sometimes parts very-well written” level.

So that’s my biggest criticism of Fangirl. The fanfiction is too good. Which tells you that this is an excellent book.

Of course, it’s not a book without a love interest; and for a brief moment it looks like Cath will get two. Levi is her roommate’s charming boyfriend. Nick is a guy in her writing class she works with. You will be very happy with her choice. Or I was, at any rate.

And my list of fictional guys (to compare) is Gilbert Blythe, Harry Potter, Fiyero Tiggular and Ted Mosby (yes, I would be the mother. Gladly. I’m a sucker for a romantic guy, ok?). Oh, and Mr Darcy. Because he’s Mr Darcy (although I have a soft spot for Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility).

Whether or not you’re a fanfiction fan, Fangirl is a great book. If you’re not that familiar with fanfiction, it may give you a better understanding of what it is and how it works (or just a understanding of it). If you are a reader/writer of fanfiction, definitely give it a shot!

A decade of Wicked

Today is the tenth anniversary of when Wicked first opened on Broadway. 2003.  There’s been a lot of reminiscing leading up to this anniversary, between the cast, creative team and of course, the fans.

And as much as I can’t believe that this magical, fantastic, amazing show has only been in my life for 3 years now; it’s even more amazing for me to think about where I was ten years ago. Because Wicked has brought so many amazing experiences and people into my life, and if I think back a decade, it’s amazing to think about the person I was then and how far I’ve come.

In 2003, I was thirteen. I was in eighth grade, and I actually had friends for once.  But I was still trying to put myself back together after the enormous and psychologically and emotionally scarring bullying I had experienced the year before. Sometimes I think I still am, even now.

I had the best English teacher that year, who I’m still in touch with now. Miss Webb inspired me, both as a person and as a future teacher; she opened my world to new books and movies (Sense and Sensibility, Goodnight Mr Tom, Chinese Cinderella just to name a few); and she encouraged my writing and actually cared about me outside of the classroom. Plus, she’s a fellow Harry Potter fan. At the end of the year, she gave me this beautiful notebook for my poems and things that I wrote, which I still have!

2003 was also the year that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was released (the book). I was so crushed when Sirius died. I have never forgiven JK Rowling for that. The third movie was being filmed that year, and I still have an old magazine article about the filming of it (yes, I keep everything. I’m a terrible pack rat). I remember thinking about irony of Sirius’ first appearance (not counting the brief mention of him in book one) coming out in film just really a few months after his death in the book universe.

I’ve been mad and devastrated and upset when JK Rowling killed a lot of characters (Hedwig, Dobby, Remus and Tonks, Dumbledore, Fred), but I am still outraged over Sirius’ death.

In 2003, I was in love with Delta Goodrem (so that hasn’t changed, LOL). Her first album, Innocent Eyes, came out in March of that year, and I was not happy because my sister and I both wanted it, but my parents only bought it for my sister (who ironically, no longer likes Delta. Or says she doesn’t, but then steals my music!). And then in July, it was announced she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I still remember every moment of finding the news.

I was writing then, of course. I’ve been writing since I was 6. Not fanfiction, though. Or not exactly. I didn’t know fanfiction was a thing then, so I used to imagine the stories in my head (Harry/Hermione) and then write them down, but change all the names and other details, and of course, remove any ideas of magic. I was writing a novel when I was 13, which I did finish. It was the first big writing thing I’d ever finished, and I was super proud.

Of course, it was terrible.  And I’m not being modest. It was terrible. It was so full of drama, and just... I don’t think it really had a plot. I’m not even going to tell you the part of the plot that I remember, it was just that bad. It was called True Love, True Hate. I didn’t love the title, but it was more of a case where I really needed a title and that was the best of a bad bunch. I don’t have it anymore I don’t think, unless it one day turns up in one of the boxes floating around in storage somewhere.  But I’m pretty sure I kept it for a few years and then threw it out in a big clean up... possibly a big pre-move clean up.

Um... what else happened 10 years ago? There were bushfires in Canberra. Thankfully only 4 people died (according to Wikipedia). 2000 Australian soldiers went to Iraq. The Sydney Roosters lost the NRL Grand final to the Penrith Panthers 18-6 (not that I really care about Australian football, but when I did I supported the Roosters so I still want them to win).

And Slim Dusty died that year. He’s an Australian country singer, and my relation! Seriously, he was my great-grandmother’s cousin. I never met him, but it’s a cool family fact! (I’m also distantly related to Lady Godiva).

Actually, several famous people died that year. Bob Hope, one of the Bee Gees, Barry White (I actually hadn’t realised he was dead until just now!), June Carter Cash and then Johnny Cash a few months later (sorry, I find that super romantic. Like he just couldn’t live without her. If you watch Walk the Line, it’s even more romantic), Katharine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Mr Rogers (who I don’t think we actually got his show here in Australia, but everyone knows who he was!).

2003 was the first year my parents let me watch Friends (my parents used to be really conservative and wouldn’t let us watch anything fun). It was also the year I got to start watching Charmed.

And some of my favourite couples got married in 2003 (even if I had no idea who they were at the time). Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs, Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams, Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof. It’s a little sad looking through the list and seeing how many couples that are divorced now. Celebrities I love probably also had babies that year, but it’s 11.30 pm, and I can’t research anymore (I was going to write this earlier and write a special 10^th anniversary one-shot, but I had to do school stuff instead. Priorities, guys. Will you accept a belated anniversary one-shot?)

So that was 2003. A pre- Wicked world (until October 30, obviously).

I think, looking back to where I was in 2003... in some ways I’m so different, in some ways I’m not. I’m still in love with Delta and Harry Potter, but I have real friends now and I’m so much stronger. I’m not apologising anymore for loving the things I do and being so passionate about them. And my writing is like a million times better.

And even though I’ve only come to know it in the past 3 years, I know Wicked has played such a huge part in shaping who I am today. (resisting.... urge... to... quote... For Good). 

So, Happy 10^th Anniversary Wicked!!! Here’s to another 10 years!

Works in Progress

Just thought I'd do a list of all the fics I have on my "To Do" list.

WICKED:

The Right Thing To Do: It's a matter of honour, of doing good. But sometimes, doing the 'right thing' hurts more than anything else. Especially when it comes to love.

Fiyero fell in love with Elphaba in that clearing with the Lion Cub. But afraid of his feelings and not wanting to hurt Galinda, he did nothing. But after graduation while spending the summer at Kiamo Ko, as everyone expects an engagement to be announced, Fiyero realises that he can’t live a lie. Then all hell breaks loose, and no one will escape being hurt. All in the name of doing the right thing. AU.

This is supposed to be my next fic, but I’m a little stuck right now.

The Ghost of Kiamo Ko:"Last night I dreamt I went to Kiamo Ko again."

While working as the companion to the Munchkinland Governor, Nessarose Thropp; Elphaba becomes acquainted with a wealthy Vinkun prince, Fiyero Tiggular, a reasonably young widower who is still mourning the loss of his wife, Samira. After a whirlwind romance, Elphaba and Fiyero marry and he takes her back to his beautiful Vinkun estate, Kiamo Ko. But the staff still worship the first Mrs Tiggular; and Elphaba knows Fiyero only married her out of pity. But most disturbing, is the shadow of Samira who still fills the castle and who haunts Elphaba’s every move. AU.

Inspired by the novel Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. There’s also a movie.

Don’t tell the Bride: When Galinda finds a competition in a magazine to win your dream wedding- on the condition every detail is planned solely by the groom- the girls think it’s funny, whereas the boys think it would be a piece of cake. So, an engaged Elphaba and Fiyero agree to enter and put that the theory to the test. What kind of wedding will Fiyero plan? (Also contemplating a Gloq edition of this fic). AU.

The Assignment: To try and get his students to understand that they, their actions and the way other people will remember them will shape future history; Dr Dillamond assigns his class an assignment for one lesson. To work in pairs and learn a bit more about one another. Shiz-era, musicalverse. Pre- Lion Cub.

Knocked Out: Intermission fic. Fiyeraba. That’s all I have right now.

Currently Untitled: After numerous requests, I've finally agreed to do some semblance of a mini-sequel, epilogue, one-shot to 40 Weeks. Still working on plot specifics and a title. 

The Vow: Not long after their wedding, Elphaba and Fiyero’s world is shattered when Elphaba suffers a head injury and lapses into a coma. When she awakens, her last memory of her husband is when a scandalacious prince arrives at Shiz, dancing through life. Can Fiyero make his wife fall in love with him- all over again?

Co-written with Team Wicked. Inspired by the movie of the same name.

HOUSE:

Learn to live without: Cameron had made plenty of sacrifices to become a doctor and in her life as a doctor. And most of the time, she didn’t mind. But occasionally, she couldn’t help but lament how different her life was from how she’d always pictured.

One-shot. It’s been a while since I wrote a House fic. Inspired by the song from the new musical If/Then, as sung by Idina Menzel.

NCIS:

Currently Untitled: Either a one-shot or series of one-shots as a sequel to Sitting on Top of the world, an insight into the joint Gibbs/DiNozzo household. Tony/Jemma, Gibbs/DiNozzo Father/Son. Again, still working on specifics. 

HARRY POTTER:

Repaying a debt: Best friends are always there when you need them. The thing is, when they risk their lives for 7 years to help you save the Wizarding World, you owe them. Big Time. As they are happy to remind you.

A series of (hopefully) funny one-shots about all the times Ron and Hermione use Voldemort to get Harry to do them a favour.

As Long as you’re mine: AU. Harry and Hermione’s friendship deepens in the summer before their 7^th year. With the war raging, Harry and Hermione keep their blossoming relationship a secret, except for a few select people. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not real. Or that they’re not going to make the most of every moment they have.

I haven’t touched this in a while... like 4 years. I should probably re-read and see if it’s any good. And also, no one is dead. Because I like it that way.

God Save My Soul: One shot. Inspired by the Idina Menzel song of the same name. Still working on specifics. 

Literary heroines

So, last week I saw a post on one of my favourite websites about literary heroines. It was all about those heroines in literature that we adore, for whatever reason. For me, it's usually because I can relate to them or they are everything I want to be.

And of course, this is a topic that draws me in immediately. I commented, but wanted to share my list here too. So here is my list, copied and pasted from my original comment on the post:

My Literary Heroines

Anne Shirley- I have literally grown up with Anne and every time I re-read them, I relate to her more at a different time in her life. I'm just waiting for my Gilbert Blythe! (AN. I will also accept a Fiyero. I'm not picky). 

Elizabeth Bennet- I love Lizzie! Enough said. Does anyone else watch the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube? I recommend them to all P&P fans!!

Jo March- again, a character I relate so much to and have grown with. Actually, there's been times I've related to all the March girls- except for Amy, for some reason.

Hermione Granger- to a 10 year old girl with buck teeth and who loved reading and school and never really had any friends, Hermione became my best friend. I loved watching her grow into this brilliant, confident young woman and witch!

Also- (maybe crossing a line here!) I'm going to add my #1 heroine- Elphaba Thropp. But I want to go with the musical version of Elphaba, not the book! But I'm claiming her! LOL. (AN. I can't not have Elphaba on my list, even though I am going with the musical not the book. There's no one I idolise more than Elphaba). 

The heroine from Rebecca- although she's never named and we learn so little about her, I could easily relate to her insecure nature and low self-esteem and my heart went out to her as she struggled to find her feet and taking Rebecca's place.

Ellie Linton- from John Marsden's Tomorrow series. Ellie's so strong and she goes through so much and I love these books.

And last but not least (until I think of more and kick myself for forgetting them earlier)- Trixie Belden. I read and loved both Trixie and Nancy Drew, but preferred Trixie just because Nancy was always so perfect! Trixie hated maths, had a temper, fought with her siblings and had a not-so-secret crush on her best friend's brother. LOL

Anyone else have someone they want to add?