Juliana Haygert

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Categories: Blogging, Entertainment, Model Monday

Model Monday #08: Halloween

Happy Halloween!

 

Why is it that scary things, dark things, intrigues us, enthralls us?

My opinion is problem the same of why all fantasy intrigues us: because it isn’t real and we are attracted to the unknown … we want to know more, and sometimes we even wish it was true. Not ghost-true, but magic-true ;)

I confess … I’m super chicken for horror movies. I am. And for books too. I read only a handful of horror books in all my life. And as far as movies goes, I watched The Shining, The Exorcist, The Prophecy series and that’s it lol It all happened a long time ago, when I had no sense and thought I wouldn’t be scared lol Now, I simply don’t watch it. Period.

But I also confess I would love to write a dark story. Not horror exactly, just dark, mysterious, with terrifying ghosts and malicious witches …

 

*images taken down for security serious* 

 

Does Halloween inspire you?

Cheers,

 

 

Categories: Blogging, Entertainment, Me, Model Monday, Music

Model Monday #05: Prince of Persia

I was going to do a post on Soundtracks and was playing Prince of Persia’s soundtrack on the background … of course, that would be one of the soundtracks mentioned on the post … then, since there are so many more things I like about Prince of Persia, why not to give it its own post?

So here it is.

Um, let me tell you. This is going to be one very long post, not because of the text, but because of the pictures and videos. Believe me, I’ve trimmed it down. My will was to include dozens of pictures and dozens of videos.

It is that good!

To learn about Prince of Persia (if you don’t know and I can’t believe you don’t know!), you can visit their website or Wikipedia.

 

The Forgotten Sands is the name of the latest game

 

Where to begin?

Perhaps from the beginning? Duh!

Prince of Persia started as a game, a 2d game for MS-DOS, and I was about 10 years old when it went out. I played it at that time. And it was AWESOME!

 

This is how it was.

 

The  Prince of Persia brand grew and became a franchise. A big one.

PoP first developer is called Brøderbund (now extinct). Today, the franchise belongs to Ubisoft (the same game developer of Assassins Creed, another game I enjoy).

The franchise grew and Ubisoft began releasing a new version of PoP every couple of years–each time improved, of course, following the available technology.

The latest game, released in 2010, is called The Forgotten Sands.

This is how it looks right now:

Better, uh?

 

What I like about Prince of Persia ins’t only the fact that it’s an awesome game. I like it all.

The story behind the game, the magic, the characters, the setting.

The Prince’s character (note that in the games he doesn’t have a name. he is called Prince. Period). He is serious, focused, charming, good-looking, hot, a silent bad guy. A tortured hero. And he is a master when it comes to fighting. He is “the man.”

 

Pictures from several game versions

 

I know, you’re gonna tell me I’m obsessing over a drawing. But, come on, he is a hot drawing!

And, if I want to give him a face, I can think of Jake Gyllenhaal (scroll down if you’re impatient and want to see him).

 

Here are some videos about the latest game:

 

 

Then, they made the movie.

Ah, the movie.

 

 

I went to watch it at the theater. I’m a movie lover and usually I like the movies I go see. But this one, I don’t what happened, my hubby and I left the theater and I asked to go back, to buy another ticket and go see it again. Seriously.

Of course, my hubby thought I was kidding and we went home.

Do you know what I did home? I wrote the whole outline for an epic fantasy novel that reminded me of the setting and the emotion of Prince of Persia. That night, I even drew the map for this new world.

I downloaded the movie soundtrack and began writing. I wrote 120,000 words in 2 weeks. That’s how inspired and excited I was.

However, I didn’t finish that story. Yeah, 120k words and not finished. That’s why I stopped. I would end up with a book of 200k and then would have to cut half.

So I chose to give it some time, let it simmer in, then go back to it and re-write the whole thing.

I’m still waiting to go back to it lol To give that MS some time, I started another. When I finished that one, I already had an idea for another. So I wrote it. And that’s how it went. And that’s how it has been.

I’m waiting for the day I have more time to go back to my epic fantasy, cause you know, epic requires major brainstorming time. But I love it. I love my idea. My trusted beta-reader said it was my most original and exciting story so far lol

Just FYI, my epic fantasy is not like LOTR or Game of Thrones, with many plots and subplots and characters. I like to think of it more like Graceling and Fire—less characters, fewer plots, a main romance, but similarly exciting.

Anyway, back to the movie.

I love it. I truly do.

It has action, a noble cause, a hot prince, a fearless princess (or high priestess), bad and powerful guys, romance. It’s perfect. Everything in the right dose. Perhaps only the romance could have been upped a little, but I’ll take it the way it is ;)

And now videos to keep us entertained!

 

 

Finally, the topic that inspired this post: SOUNDTRACK.

I love writing while listening to soundtracks, and Prince of Persia is a great one.

It’s exotic and magical. Just like the game. Just like the movie.

 

So, to finish this post, here are some songs from the movie’s soundtrack:

 

 

Did you watch the movie? Did you like it?

Hope you enjoyed my *obsession* of Prince of Persia =)

 

Cheers,

Categories: Blogging, Contests, Entertainment, On Writing, Reading

YA Confidential

 

A new blog about Young Adult was launched three weeks ago. It’s called YA CONFIDENTIAL and it has been great so far!

The differential about YA CONFIDENTIAL is that authors work with real life teenagers, who share their experiences and their likes and dislikes about today’s YA books. It’s different and it’s efficient!

 

From their blog, here’s a sample of a weekly posting schedule:

Monday Mission Briefings: Each week an operative will choose a YA-related mission and break it down.

Teen Spy Tuesdays: Everything teen. Roundtables. Critiques. Thoughts on books and craft. You name it, our teen spies will cover it.

Undercover Wednesdays: All things YA book-related!

From the Vault Thursdays: Answer our question of the day and get entered in our weekly contest. Winners are allowed to select a book from THE VAULT.

Fun Fridays: Exactly what the name implies…

Doesn’t it sound awesome?!

And right now, they are hosting a Launch Celebration Giveaway with lots of great prizes, including agent critiques and ARCs!

Head over there and join this fun community!

 

Cheers,

 

Categories: Blogging, Entertainment, Me, Model Monday

Model Monday #4: World of Warcraft

I love epic/high fantasy.

I even have some ideas and outlines to write one (or two, or three), but, because of the complexity, I always end up delaying it …

Today’s post will be short on purpose. I could rave about World of Warcraft, which is IMO the best game ever, well, forever though I’m certain nobody will read me rambling about it forever =)

 

 

I was addicted to WoW, very bad.

Unfortunately, now I don’t play it anymore … if I start it again, I won’t be able to stop, so I keep it away from my computer lol

It is that good!

 

Here I give you the cinematic trailers for the game and the 3 expansion sets.

Note: just because I don’t play it anymore, doesn’t mean I don’t know what is happening in that world ;)

 

World of Warcraft Cinematic:

 

Burning Crusades Cinematic:

 

Wrath of the Lich King Cinematic:

 

Cataclism Cinematic:

 

 

The graphics are perfect, the soundtrack is topnotch, and the plot is compelling and engaging.

Now tell me, by watching those, don’t you want to dive in? To be a part of it? To play it? To write about something like that?

I do!

 

Cheers,

 

Categories: Blogging, Entertainment

Versatile Blogger

 

I’ve got another blog award! This time it was from Jani Grey and Jenn.  Thanks ladies!

 

The rules for accepting the award are:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this Award along to 15 recently discovered blogs and let them know about it.

 

Number 1 was done above, but I’ll repeat it here: Thanks Jani and Jenn for the award!

 

Number 2—share 7 things about me:

  1. I danced ballet from 3 to 19 yo. I went back to it last year, but then ruptured 2 tendons on my right foot. And now I can’t dance anymore =( Worse of all is that my foot started hurting again last week. I’ll have to go to the doctor soon.
  2. When I was around 5 yo, my parents had 10 dogs at our house. Big dogs. Bigger than me.
  3. I’m Brazilian but I lived in the US from 2004 to 2009. I miss it. There are plans to go back, but nothing definite yet.
  4. I have a BA in Art Studio with emphasizes on Graphic Design. And I’m a terrible Graphic Designer lol
  5. I became a reader at an early age and I thank my mother for that. Looking back, I can’t remember her without a book on her hands. I hope to pass this habit on to my daughter.
  6. I’ve been diagnosed with Orthostatic Intolerance. I’m not kidding.
  7. I’m tall and I don’t like it. I’m 5’9″ (1.75m) and I love high heels. If I could choose my height, I would be 5’7″ (1.70m). That way, I would be able to wear my 4 or 5 inches heels and wouldn’t feel bad about it.

 

Number 3—passing on the award:

  1. Tracy Rohlfing – Scarlets Sanctum
  2. Stefanie Gaither – A Sort of Mental Squint
  3. Melissa Hurst – Chasing the Dream 
  4. Ladonna Watkins – the writer in me 
  5. Heather L. Reid – I’d Rather be Writing
  6. Avery Olive
  7. Allison Merritt – Have Novel, Will Edit
  8. Theresa Paolo – No Rhyme or Reason
  9. Kelley Lynn – Between the Bookends
  10. Laura Pepper Wu – Because Books Don’t Sell Themselves
  11. Monica B. W. – Love YA
For now I’m citing only 11 blogs. If I remember more, I’ll add accordingly.
And I encourage anyone who wants to promote their blogs to post the link at the comments below.

 

Have a great week, everyone!

 

Cheers,
Categories: Entertainment, Me, Music, My life

Today is a Holiday …

… in the South most Brazilian state, Rio Grande do Sul (or RS).

For those trying to situate themselves, RS is where Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio and Carol Trentini are from.

Soccer player Ronaldinho, ex-Milan, is from RS.

Erico Verissimo, a famous writer/author, was also born from RS.

 

Map of Brazil, RS and flag of RS

 

Now, why is it a holiday you ask. Because today is Revolução Farroupilha, or War of the Ragamuffins in English.

The summary of the events is that the RS tried to gain independence from the rest of the country, but the Imperial Guards crushed the gauchos and we are still part of Brazil =P

There is a parade, with horses and torches and flags, during the day. It’s like we go back in time and honor our origins.

 

The parade

 

Gaúcho typical attire

Here in Brazil, each state has some kind of nickname for the person born there. People born in Rio de Janeiro is called Carioca, for example. In RS, we are called Gaúcho (male) an Gaúcha (female). Girls can also be called Prenda.

Prenda’s dress

Dancing. We have many typical dances.

Churrasco. That’s our Barbecue!

Chimarrão (it’s like tea. I drink this nearly every day)

 

Now, for fun, I posted two videos with dances from Rio Grande do Sul. I hope you enjoy:

 


This one is known as Chula. The guy can’t touch the wood stick or he “looses” the game.

 


Typical group dance.

 

More fun yet: there is this Gaucho comedian, called Guri de Uruguaiana. He makes fun of our own life style. He is hilarious.

Last year or so, he started a series imitating famous singers and dancers.

Here I posted the one for Michael Jackson’s Thriller, but he also has videos for Beatles, Village People, Just Bieber, etc.

 

Gauchos are really proud of who they are and where they came from.

I hope you liked this bit of info about my country and my origins.

 

Cheers,

 

Categories: Blogging, Entertainment

Liebster Blog Award

 

I’ve received this award from my friend Tracy last week. Sorry it took me so long to pass it forward.

“The basic idea of the Liebster Blog Award is to showcase bloggers with less than 200 followers. When you get the award, you keep the love going and give it to 5 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers.”

Below is the list of five ladies I chose. I met them through twitter or blogging, which is an effective way of making friends and connections.

May Arend

Avery Olive

Elizabeth Ann West

Stacy Green 

Stacy S. Jensen

Extra one (because I want to!):

Allison Merritt

I should probably mention that there is no obligation to continue this award. If the people tagged here don’t feel like tagging other 5 bloggers, it is okay!

Have fun checking out these six lovely gals =)

 

Cheers,