It doesn't feel like Halloween.

Reading is like my therapy.

School related post this time, lol.

At the momet, I'm reading A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnely. It's set in 1906, and so far it seems a lot like "Little House on the Prairie", but I'm not complaining because I loved those books, and the show. The story revolves around a 16 year old girl, who has a gift of writing. She works hard like a man for their family, since she's the oldest now that her brother left, and because her mother died. She says hope is the eigth deadly sin, but God left it out. Her dream to go to college is put down by her Aunt, and she's pretty sure her dad won't appreciate the idea, either. Mattie isn't selfish, just hopeful.

Mattie starts working at a summer resort on Big Moose Lake, and the story takes a sharp turn. A young woman named Grace Brown gives Mattie a packet of love letters, and then Grace Brown is found dead in the lake.

The letters convince Mattie that Grace didn't drown on her own, she had help.

This book turns into a murder case. So far, it's kind of boring, well written, but nothing is happening yet.

I'll just have to see how it ends.

The last book I read was called Tyrell. It's published by Push publishing, which so far, every book I've read published by them is amazing. Coe Booth wrote Tyrell.

I really liked this book, because a female wrote it, but get's inside the head of a 15 year old male living in the Bronx, with a dad in jail, a little brother in special ed to get the extra welfare money, and a mother who has her priorites and her views on family all twisted. Tyrell is different from the "sterotypical" african american teenage boy living in the projects. He treats his girlfriend with respect, and when his mother suggests he should deal dope to make more money for the family, he's outraged. He's smart, and he's not willing to be put in Juvenile Hall. He's determined to be a strong male influence for his little brother. When his dad goes to jail, for dealing drugs and "pimping" women, Tyrell's family lose their apartment in the projects. They have to stay in homeless shelters, and run down, roach invested hotels. At his stay, he meets a girl named Jasmine, and he really connects with her. Tyrell's girlfriend lives in the projects, but the projects seems like a seaside condo compared to where he is. He thinks she's perfect, and he's in love. Jasmine keeps popping into the picture, and Tyrell starts having trust issues with his girlfriend. She trusts him, but he feels she's not telling him everything about her life.

To make money, Tyrell uses his dad old method. Parties in abandoned factories, and buildings. People pay to get in, and Tyrell DJ's on his dads equipment.

He's determined, and he's too mature for a boy of 15. I guess thats what growing up in the Bronx, with a dad in jail gets you. He feels like he has to be the man for his family.

I have major respect for Tyrell after reading this book. He stays strong for his brother, even his mom through these hard times. Doesn't complain when he finds roaches in his shoes, and stays faithful to the girl he loves even if she doesn't.

Since I didn't do a WRiTiNG TiP yesterday, here you go.

Go & marinate on this for a while,

WRiTiNG TiP #2:

I've been reading Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and I've gotten some pretty good tips so far.

She gives some prompts, so I'ma steal from her real quick:)

The first one I remember is to make a list of random things you remember in your life. It doesn't have to be exciting, or daring, just a memory.

After you make a long list, you have a long list of topics to write about. Isn't that somethin'.

This is my own prompt I'm making..I watched an independent film called "I'm Through with White Girls" and the main characters play a fun game.

They go out to places, anywhere, and when they see someone that looks interesting, they make up their life story.

Go out to a crowded place, with a notebook, and make up little biographies about people you have never met in your life. Trying to create a character? This will help.

In creative writing at Fayetteville, my teacher always said don't freak out about what happens in your story. Your character will guide the events.

To also better devolop and understand your character, make a list of their likes and dislikes, favorite movies, books, music. It sounds weird, but it will help your character decide the events in your story. Easier work for you.