Juliana Haygert

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Categories: #ROW80, Blogging, Me, My writing

ROW80 Check-in #03

 

Third ROW80 update already? Jeez, where is time going?

Anyway, today is a holiday in Brazil. Holy Mary’s Day and also Children’s Day.

A reminder of my goals:

  • Write at least 2k words from Mon to Fri (Sat and Sun are reserved for family!)
  • Finish the MS I’m writing (for now, I call it Attitude)
  • Edit Attitude
  • Outline a novel for NaNoWriMo
  • Participate on NaNoWriMo
  • Read one book per week
  • Blog at least once per week (besides the #ROW80 check-ins)
  • Comment on #ROW80 friends’ blogs
  • Exercise (I’ll define what and the frequency after my doctor gives me his okay)

As you guys may know, I have plans of participating on NaNo, but it’s not set on stone yet. I’ll see how things go, which means I’ll probably decide one day prior to the start date ;) However, I’m already signed up. If you want to be a writing buddy, my username is Juliana_Haygert over there. Go find me!

Now, for check-in …

Exercising:

Still nothing.
I’ve got my leg MRI done on Monday, now I’m waiting on results. Friday, I’ll pick up the results and go to my doctor. Let’s see …

 

Reading:

I finally finished Matched! Yay! When I was about 75% into it, that I thought things picked up and became interesting. I just wanted to get it done so I could choose another …
And I’m facing a dilemma about my the book: Dark Lover by JR Ward, The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima or Touch by Jus Accardo. What do you guys think? Which one do you suggest I read first?

 

Blogging:

This is the third post of the week and probably will be the last until the next check-in on Sunday. I’ve commented on many blogs during the week.
And I’m Twitter all the time =)

 

Writing:

Monday: Only 2353 words. I know, I surpassed my goal, but, if I didn’t have my MRI during the afternoon, I would have aimed for 4k …
Tuesday: By 5pm, I had done 5 #1k1hr LOL and, the word count for the day ended at 6211 =)
Wednesday: Since it’s holiday, family is home. But I managed to write 721 words in the morning and I hope to get some more at night.
If I keep this up, I may finish Attitude by Friday. Woot!

 

I’m feeling pretty good about how things are going. I do hope to continue steady at this. I’m afraid to slow down once Attitude is done. I don’t want to stop writing, but I don’t know if I should to jump in on a new WIP right after finishing this one. Especially since I still have to revise it. I’m open to suggestions: after I finish Attitude, should I focus on editing it only OR should edit Attitude AND start a new WIP?

 

You can check my fellow ROWers progress here.

Hope all is well with you guys too!

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: #ROW80, Blogging, Me, My writing

ROW80 Check-in #02

 

Here we are, the second check of Round 4.

If you want to know about my goals, you can click here.

 

Exercising:

Still waiting for doctor’s permission. If you missed what I’m talking about, you can click here and read the whole story.

 

Blogging/Twitter:

I had a post out on Thursday, plus this one. So that added to 5 posts this week.

I’ve commented on other blogs to the point of losing count … and I kept commenting lol

And twitter … I’m on twitter all the time ;)

Speaking of twitter: I’m trying to follow all ROW80 members on twitter—yay for writers’ support! So, if I didn’t follow you yet, let me know.

 

Reading:

I’m still reading Matched by Ally Condie. It’s not capturing my attention. I hate when that happens. Normally, I devour a book within hours. Not this one =(

 

Writing:

Thursday: Four #1k1hr, plus some writing at night, to a total of 5031 words.

Friday: Wrote 3075 words, worked on a query and polished a first chapter for submission (ah!)

Saturday and Sunday are family time over here, but something unexpected happened: my husband had to work this weekend. That left us a problem: I’m in no condition to take care of my daughter alone (because of my leg), so my mother-in-law spent the weekend with us and took care of my daughter. I tried to stay clsoe to them, but they didn’t stop! When they went to the neighborhood’s playground, I was left alone with time in my hands. I read, I wrote 2 blog posts, I researched and I wrote. So:

Saturday: Wrote a blog post, researched, did one #1k1hr and wrote 1700 words.

Sunday: Did two #1k1hr in the morning and got 1593 words down. I plan to write more at night, so my word count will be higher when the day is done. UPDATE: I did one #1k1hr at night and got 1456 down. Total for the day: 3049 words! Woot!

 

I think things are going well over here—but it’s only the first week … I hope I can keep this up till the end =)

How about you? Are  you having fun yet?

 

Cheers,

 

Categories: #ROW80, Blogging, Me, My writing

ROW80 Check-in #01

 

My first #ROW80 check-in! Woot!

It’s been only 3 days, but it’s been wonderful and exciting so far! I’m very happy and excited about meeting so many fellow writers. I bet I’ll meet even more until the end of the challenge =)

So, where to begin …

 

Let’s start with EXERCISING

Well, I haven’t been doing any of that, orders from the doctor (that’s why on my goals it says after the doctor okays it).

However, I decided to explain a little about that here to my fellow ROWers (I’ll try to be quick). If you aren’t interested in this topic, feel free to skip to the next one.

Last year, in May, I ruptured two feet ligaments and had to quit ballet. Lots of physical therapy later, the doctor said I had to try and go on, enduring the pain, or would have to go through surgery. But, no ballet for me. I went back to normal life, but exercising was not fun anymore. I wanted to dance ballet. Anyway. A month ago, my ligaments started hurting again, out of nowhere. I didn’t twist my ankle or hit it anywhere. The pain started spreading through my whole foot and my shin—and the numbness started.

It hurt so bad, I went to the ER. They doc there said I had to see a foot specialist. However, he said that, because of the numbness, it was probably related to the spine. He gave me meds and sent me home, where I scheduled an appointment with my doctor, Dr. S., the foot specialist who treated my foot last year. Four days later, I went to his office and he too told me it looked like spine. A spinal disc herniation, to be more precise. He ordered a MRI of the spine first and scheduled a MRI for the leg later, in case it was not the spine, but he was 99% sure it was. Meanwhile, total bed-rest.

Some days later, I did the MRI on my spine. A couple of days later, I got the results. It said I have a Schmorl’s Node on my spine and that could cause, in the future, a disc herniation, but it can’t be whatever is causing the pain and the numbness on my leg. And let me tell you, it’s getting worse. I’m taking some heavy painkillers and still I can barely sleep at night because of the PAIN!

Anyway, now, I have leg MRUI scheduled for next Monday, the pain is killing me (lol) and I’m still resting as much as I can.

So, that’s my reason for not exercising. Yet.

I hope to find out whatever is causing the pain (and the numbness and the inside-out burning sensation), treat it, and go back to exercising.

Since I can’t dance ballet, I’m thinking about trying Yoga or Pilates. Let’s see.

 

Next topic, BLOGGING and TWITTER

I blogged more than expected. And I have another post coming up tomorrow.

I also commented on many blogs of our ROWers friends. And some other blogs that I usually read/follow.

And Twitter … well, that thing is addicting! Evil being! I’ve been tweeting for a long time, but, damn, I don’t want to turn it off! LOL

 

On to READING

I’m reading Matched by Ally Condie.

I’m about 40% in and, let me tell you, so far I’ve been forcing it. I read so many reviews, heard so many people raving about how wonderful this book would be, that I think I was expecting more.

Well, I’m not done yet, so I’m hoping things will heat up ;)

 

Finally, WRITING 

That department is going well.

Monday and Tuesday I wrote a little over my quota (2k per day).

But today was awesome. Today alone I did four #1k1hr and got down around 4k words. And I plan to do one more tonight lol

This #1k1hr is addicting too and I plan to participate on them whenever I can.

 

Gosh, I wrote a longer post than I intended to. Sorry, friends!

To finish, I just wanted to let you know I’m very excited and happy to be a part of round 4 of #ROW80. Having loads of fun so far!

I hope  you all are doing great =)

 

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: Me, My writing

Mission Impossible? I hope not!

So, I set up a challenge for me.

It’s not that hard, actually, but the past 2 or 3 weeks were kind of chaos over here (sick kid, holidays, vacations, friend’s wedding, etc) and I couldn’t get much writing done.

Now that things seem more calm, I want to get back to my hardcore writing schedule and I guess that the easy way to do it is to glue my butt to my chair, keep my fingers on the keyboard and just write.

I’m setting up a goal to reach 5k words each day, from Monday to Friday for the next 2 weeks.

That means less online time … less Twitter, less Facebook, less blogs reading, less emailing, no Vampire Diaries, Nikita and ThunderCats (I’ll so gonna catch up later!) … but it’s for a good cause =)

 

The hottie up here called me last night and told me “You can do it!” That’s so refreshing =)

 

I’ll probably just keep a few blog post running here once or twice a week, to keep my own blog active.

If nothing out of ordinary happens, I’ll extend this challenge to 3 weeks, but let’s see where it takes me.

Oh, on October 5th (a Wednesday) I have an appointment to check on my foot (for those following me on twitter, you know it’s been hurt a lot), so, depending on what exams the doctor asks, I’ll allow myself to skip this day.

At the end of the 2 (or 3) weeks, I plan to post about the challenge, including the word count for each day.

Keep your fingers crossed for me and let the fun begin!

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,