Review 1/23/13

                My book The Vampire Lestat, would fall under the genre of fantasy. Because of the vampires, it’s a book that’s more of a magic realism. The reason I say this is because other than the vampires there are no other fantasy creatures.

                The vampires are tied into everyday life in the 1800’s mainly based in Paris. They live everyday lives. And I don’t believe that they should fall under “Fantasy”. The reason I think this is because what do you think when you hear the word fantasy? Most people say fairies, and unicorns.

                Because of Twilight Vampires finally got more light and were given “Paranormal Fantasy” the only problem is when people hear this title of genre, they think of Twilight. I know Stephanie Myer didn’t mean to ruin the iconic image of Dracula, but because of her “movies”, their terrible b rated quality, and the obnoxious teen fan base, Vampires lost their scary.  Beautiful pieces of work exist in the Paranormal Fantasy including Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicle’s. Anne Rice has created many books in this genre and she try’s the stay under the veil of fiction and as far away for “teen paranormal romance” as possible. And “The Vampire Lestat” is a prime example of that there is no romance. The only love ever mentioned is for knowledge and family. So I will classify it like she would its fiction. It’s make believe, that’s it. Genre titles can kill many authors and unlike Nicholas Sparks she’s not very vocal about her genre preference to be found under.

Reflection 1/22/13

                Over the years my reading taste has grown with me I used to be into adventure stories, basic fantasy adventures. But now I’m reading very advanced novels in many different genres like thrillers and crime. Since 7^th grade I can’t remember picking up a fantasy book that I actually got really absorbed into. Maybe some of the supernatural could be considered fantasy but it could be argued both ways.

                I think one thing that’s really influenced my reading taste is my mother. I read whatever she reads; she’s introduced me to so many of my favorite authors, for example: Stephen King and Dean Kootz. She’s told me to try them just to see if I did like them saying “there’s nothing wrong with trying something new every once in a while.” and ever since my reading pallet has grown and expanded.

                Sometimes I look back and wonder if those fantasy stories would still capture me as they did when I was younger?  I remember a series I was in love with was The Unicorn Chronicles (corny I know) I read them constantly wishing I was the girl who got stuck in that magical land of endless beauty and mystery. I know I might never pick up another unicorn book but I know for sure I’ll recommend it to other kids I know because it’s a under the radar series but it’s worth the search.

Review 1/17/13

In my current place in “The Vampire Lestat” there’s lots of controversy amongst the vampires and how they should govern themselves and live. Lestat, who’s a young fledgling, has no mentor to teach him the ways of the vampires in the 17th century.

                He walks amongst the mortals deceiving them, enjoying the nights of Paris with them. He is then joined by his mother who also enjoys living a life of luxury amongst the mortals. Whereas the vampire of old (The original coven of Paris) stay in the deepest caverns of the graveyard covered in rags, starving, worshipping Satan, the dark prince. They see Lestat and his mother as outlaws a blasphemous, since they not only walk amongst the mortals they also walk into churches and other holy places.

                The fear of “holy places” is a common detail in many of vampire folklore for example “Vampires are potentially immortal, but they do have a few weaknesses. They can be destroyed by a stake through the heart, fire, beheading and direct sunlight, and they are wary of crucifixes, holy water and garlic. Vampires don't cast a reflection, and they have superhuman strength.” ( for more facts go to http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/strange-creatures/vampire.htm ) but Ann Rice challenges this by giving her vampires reflections and the ability to be near holy objects and even to posses them.

                The other vampires would never step foot in these places fearing god’s wrath against them. They capture Lestat and his mother and take them to their underground home to punish them for breaking sacred vampire law. While they lead them to the deepest catacomb, Lestats very presence struck fear in them, they backed away cowering from him.  Lestat demands why they live like this when there’s so much opportunity out there he questions their faith asking them if it’s real worth living the way they are. The leader says that there ways have been this way for years a nd cannot be changed by a single outlaw preaching for a new order.

Book 1 Project

for my first project I did a painting. As you can see its a hand with words coming out of the fingers. the  words even though they're unreadable are stories of crime a deception. the reason behind this is because John from The Dead Zone could feel and sense everything everyone was thinking just through touch (the reasons the words are coming from the fingers.) and mainly he uses his "power" to help stop crime and other peoples problems and darkest secrets.

Refiection 1/15/13

                 Book covers is what I look at first for a book. If the covers very creative I’ll always look at the book itself and decide whether it’s as interesting as the cover. A book cover for me is like a movie preview, it entices you and shows you what the book could be about for example Nicholas Spark’s book covers don’t give away anything they may have a dog on it or a simple scenery . But recently when a book is turned into a movie they use a movie cover. For example all of Nicholas Spark’s books that were turned into movies all have a couple on the front because it’s a love story. But for me the more creative the title the better I don’t want the basic lovers on the front I want a piece of art that will make you feel the main emotions about the book. For example last summer I read Perfection by Julia Metz , and the cover was a framed butterfly in a shadow box and It was fallen on the floor. Something so simple like a broken picture sends more messages to the brain than the usual love story couple cover. So to me book covers are important and when you’re deciding they’re the first thing you see and the only thing that provokes you other than the title to check out the book.

Review 1/10/13

If my book “The Vampire Lestat” , a novel about the beginning of the reign of a powerful vampire, who  became an icon after the first book “Interview with a Vampire”.  The movie will have many important parts to focus on, especially in the beginning. Also the actor choice is very important as well.

                For actors I would choose Robert Downey Jr. My reason being is the Robert is a very talented man who is very charismatic and that’s exactly what Lestat is, a very young attractive man who’s good with people. Another important actor that would be essential for this movie would be Anthony Hopkins. He would play Magnus who Is the elder vampire who seeks out Lestat to turn him into one of the living dead. Magnus may only be in the movie for a short time but he’s a very important character that influences Lestat in his future decisions. Another important character in the book is Lestat’s mother. She’s a key component in Lestat’s beginning. She influences him to make big decisions that change his life forever. She understands his more than his own father does. She would be played by Kirsten Stewart from twilight since she always looks likes she in pain or dying, which works well with her character because his mother is dying and sick.

                A few important scenes that need to be focused on during the beginning of the movie is when Lestat killed the pack of wolves that was attacking his people. This scene is important because it changes who Lestat is as a person in changes the way he sees things and the divide of his family is more evident afterwards.  Another very important scene is when Lestat and his new friend Nicholas escape to Paris to live out their dreams in the theater. And also Lestats turning into a vampire and his discovery of the new world through his vampire eyes.

Reflection 1/8/13

In my eyes a movie is just a short summary of a book. In most cases they summarize it savor all the good parts and toss minor details. But sometimes there are directors that know what they’re doing and they bring the book they’re “illustrating” to life. My top five picks of these movies are…

1.       The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

a.       The movie lights the book on fire the emotion just illuminates off of it. Some people are very skeptical about it because of some of the mature content. But the movie simplifies the book it makes it easier to understand and you get consumed by the beauty of it.

2.       The Da Vinci Code

a.       The movie gives the book a more exciting suspenseful taste. You’re on the edge of your seat wondering what the next clue is and how whatever it is will affect the whole world of religion.

b.      For the critics point of view: http://obscuredvixen.wordpress.com/2011/09/17/book-vs-movie-the-da-vinci-code/

3.       Angels and Demons

a.       The book does not send you into a frantic mystery as intense as the movie. The music, the small details and all the religious references that throw your brain into a whirlwind of excitement and suspense.

b.      Critics- http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=11622

4.       The Notebook

a.       Nicolas Sparks masterpiece was just given more beauty than his words could ever weave, the movie follows the book page by page all the small things in the book are there and they make every moment more meaningful.

b.      Critics- http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=11622

5.       Shudder Island

a.       Followed the plot perfectly and the whole time your wound up just like the character  and your just as surprised in the end as he is.

b.      Critics- http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=12591