tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20393696331344688892024-03-04T22:28:14.203-08:00Becoming a writer, one day at a timeHaving recently begun the journey of writing, editing, and publishing my first novel, I’ve decided to blog about the journey for other new writers. I’ve found that advice that comes from a non-expert seems more feasible than from someone who’s an expert on the subject, albeit maybe not quite as helpful. I AM NO EXPERT, JUST A PASSIONATE LEARNER!Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-72540822583882684702015-09-23T08:46:00.000-07:002015-09-23T08:46:27.384-07:00Board Games Defined: What Am I Getting Into?Light, heavy, Eurogames, Ameritrash, dry, thematic, dice chucking, deck building, party game, co-op game, hidden traitor, social game...what are you getting yourself into with this whole board game thing?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="266" src="http://students.jccc.edu/mamatos/boardgames/images/board-games-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://students.jccc.edu/mamatos/boardgames/htdocs/history.html" target="_blank">Photo: The History of Board Games</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, there are dozens of different board game categories. Yes, it can get a bit confusing at times. But the great thing about having so many choices is that there's going to be some game out there that lines up perfectly with your own, unique tastes, if not several. There are so many categories and each category has so many more sub-categories, so I will do my best to list the main categories I think most of you will come across, along with an example of each. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So without further adieu, what's out there?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Eurogames</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Made popular in Germany, Eurogames are perhaps best known for their emphasis on strategy as opposed to luck and typically have simpler rules and less-hefty duration. There is typically no player elimination and normally some facet of scoring is kept secret in order to prevent opponents from identifying the clear winner.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Example: <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2015/08/ticket-to-ride-10-reasons-you-must-add.html" target="_blank">Ticket to Ride</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yAIYaSY2fC4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yAIYaSY2fC4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Ameritrash Games</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Popularized in America, Ameritrash Games are much different than their Euro counterparts. More emphasis is placed on luck than strategy, and themes are often very important, resulting in a much thicker rule book oftentimes. It is not uncommon to have heavy player conflict and even player elimination in these games.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Example: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/24/twilight-imperium" target="_blank">Twilight Imperium</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Light vs. Heavy</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's probably intuitive, but I want to explain this for anyone out there who is <i>super </i>unfamiliar with games. Light typically means thin rule book, streamlined mechanics, game duration of two hours or less (typically less), and they often have a smaller price tag. On the other hand, heavy games may have more complex mechanics and combinations, a thicker rule book, typically a bigger emphasis on theme, and can take anywhere from one to eight hours (or longer)! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Examples: Light - <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/129622/love-letter" target="_blank">Love Letter</a>; Heavy - <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/102794/caverna-cave-farmers" target="_blank">Caverna</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Dry vs. Thematic</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bland cardboard laid across the table with nary a theme in sight -- that's dry. You'll know a thematic game when you see one. They scream from the boxes: Zombies! Aliens! Sushi! Trains! Haunted houses that get picked up by giant birds and you have to find a parachute to save yourself! Dry isn't necessarily bad, and theme isn't necessarily good, but they each have a place on any shelf. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Examples: Dry - <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/84876/castles-burgundy" target="_blank">Castles of Burgundy</a>; Thematic - <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/83330/mansions-madness" target="_blank">Mansions of Madness</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Dice Chucking</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A main mechanic of Dice Chucking games is, you guessed it, rolling dice. These games rely heavily on luck but can be very satisfying. The mechanic can be used for racing, fighting, determining outcomes, and so much more.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Example: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/70323/king-tokyo" target="_blank">King of Tokyo</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Deck Building</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In most deck building games players begin the game with a few cards and are then tasked with the objective of building an efficient engine of a deck by selectively choosing only the best cards from a sea of options. Efficiency, strategy, and foresight play a much bigger role in these games.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Example: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36218/dominion" target="_blank">Dominion</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Party Game vs. Social Games</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There isn't a huge difference between party and social games, but some people get very offended if you refer to a game with any sort of strategy as a "party game," cue self-righteous scoff. I'll define it this way, party games are solely about having fun, typically through a means of trivia, quick thinking, or some sort of physical demonstration (acting, role-playing, drawing, etc.). Social games typically have at least a little bit of strategy, but they require a lot of group interaction. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Example: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41114/resistance" target="_blank">The Resistance</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Cooperative & Hidden Traitor Games</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cooperative games require most or all players to band together in an effort to beat the board game. In a Hidden Traitor game, one or more of the team may have a hidden agenda to foil the players' plans. There are also semi-cooperative games where one person plays a pre-identified bad guy and the remaining players try to beat him/her. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Examples: Cooperative - <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2015/09/tricking-your-spouse-into-games-with-co.html" target="_blank">Pandemic</a>; Hidden Traitor - <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/15062/shadows-over-camelot" target="_blank">Shadows Over Camelot</a>; Semi-Cooperative - <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/104162/descent-journeys-dark-second-edition" target="_blank">Descent</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ziL905aXGnE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ziL905aXGnE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Worker Placement</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Players place a number of finite workers to collect resources and perform actions in order to achieve winning conditions. These workers sometimes come in the form of dice, which also emphasizes a bit of luck.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Example: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/133848/euphoria-build-better-dystopia" target="_blank">Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0FECzo1bmU8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0FECzo1bmU8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Set Collection</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Winning a Set Collection game requires a player to earn points through collecting cards, making combinations, etc. The concept became popular with card games such as Gin Rummy and the board game market has really taken off with the mechanic.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Example: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/54043/jaipur" target="_blank">Jaipur</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Gateway Game</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A Gateway Game is a game that is easy to teach new gamers, simple yet attractive enough to draw people in, and addictive so that players want more! It's a common term in board game crowds and typically spoken highly of. Most board game connoisseurs will have some sort of Gateway Game in their collection because they want their friends and acquaintances to pick up the hobby. In board game land, the more the merrier!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iL01KYoHVOY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iL01KYoHVOY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Examples: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/13/catan" target="_blank">Catan</a> </div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-90045514569541470152015-09-16T10:23:00.000-07:002015-09-16T10:23:45.917-07:00Tricking Your Spouse Into Games with Co-Ops<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
If your significant other doesn't want to play games it could be because they picture hours of trading money back and forth in Monopoly, or getting demolished one hour into a four hour bout of Risk. This should go without saying, but there are still so many people out there who haven't partaken in <i>modern board games, </i>so I'll say it: board games are different now!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Tons of ideas for two person games to play as a couple" height="400" src="http://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Backgammon-Two-Person-GAme.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
I don't care who you are, what you're interested in, or your personal prejudices -- there's a board game for you. And, more importantly, there's a board game for you and your spouse to enjoy <u>together</u>. In this post I'm specifically going to talk about three (ish, you'll see why) cooperative games that are very similar in play but have completely different themes that I think are a great start for couples who want to get into gaming.<br />
<br />
Real quick, here are five things you can tell your significant other to convince him/her that you should be playing these games together:<br />
<br />
1. I want to spend quality time with you that doesn't involve sitting in front of a screen.<br />
2. We can invite friends over and have a double-date game night.<br />
3. Don't you want to do something <u>together</u>?<br />
4. It's only $15 and it has a lifetime play value (specifically Forbidden Desert for our fellow cheapskates).<br />
5. Board games are cool now. No, really!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Okay, now that you've thoroughly convinced your S.O. to play, here are some good ones to get you started.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic646458_md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic646458_md.jpg" width="145" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">Forbidden Island</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Get your heart pounding in an immediately electrifying game of <a href="http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=245" target="_blank">Forbidden Island</a>. Join your S.O. on a dangerous adventure and collect treasures in a sinking paradise. You better hurry, though! Each turn will bring you closer and closer to being swallowed up along with all the sacred treasures you worked to collect.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Each turn the board gets more dangerous and you must work alongside the other players to get out alive!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>(Disclaimer: I've actually not played this one myself, just watched it being played. What I've gathered from experts like Tom Vasel though, is that Forbidden Island is great for playing with kids and Forbidden Desert is better for playing with adults).</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b> <span style="font-size: large;">Forbidden Desert</span></b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><br /></b></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic1528722_t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic1528722_t.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mechanically similar to, but thematically very different from Forbidden Island, Forbidden Desert is another great choice for your game/date night. Instead of treasure hunting, you've crash landed in a desert and you must find the long-buried pieces of an ancient flying machine to get out before the sand storms and heat become too much! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What I like a lot about this one is the fact that you can die from the heat (or being too thirsty, more accurately) and everyone has to work together to make sure no one perishes. Both games are high-energy, fast-paced, and sometimes anxiety-inducing games that will leave you feeling like you've actually just been fighting for your life. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Okay, maybe not quite.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="font-size: large;"> Pandemic</span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic1534148_md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic1534148_md.jpg" width="145" /></a>I saved the best for last! <a href="http://zmangames.com/product-details.php?id=1246" target="_blank">Pandemic</a> just does everything right. Easily adjusted difficulty levels, cool character cards that work together in ways that make sense, and a theme that everyone can get behind: ZOMBIES! Alight, so it never really says zombies, nor does it imply that there may be zombies, but when you're talking about outbreaks and eradicating disease doesn't your mind just go straight to zombies? No? Just me? Okay then.<br />
<br />
<br />
I like Pandemic a lot because I still lose it a lot. I've heard some people say that you can get good at it and it's just a puzzle that has to be figured out, but I obviously haven't figured it out if that's the case. Again, it has very similar mechanics to the aforementioned games, but it has so much more to offer at the same time. You have to cooperatively collect and trade cards to cure four different diseases (base game) while ridding cities of disease so they don't outbreak to adjacent cities and ultimately take over the world. And there is absolutely no lack of tension in this game, you can be one turn away from winning and feel pretty confident when you draw an epidemic card, shuffle all the discarded cities into the top of your draw stack that you didn't bother to clean up since you were about to win, and all of a sudden you have four more outbreaks and flesh-eating monsters have successfully become unmanageable. In other words, you lose. Hard.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
AND! <a href="http://zmangames.com/product-details.php?id=1726" target="_blank">Pandemic Legacy</a> is due to release in the U.S. on October 8, 2015. If you've heard of Risk Legacy, then you probably already know sort of what to expect from this. Basically from what I've gathered from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhCDU-ftLaI" target="_blank">Dice Tower's sneak peak</a> is that the game takes place over 12 months (each month is one game) and you proceed through the months by curing diseases and winning. As the game progresses your characters will become better equipped to deal with more havoc, the board will change, the rules will change, and no one really knows what is going to happen next. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There you have it. Three options for your board game date night, in order of heaviness (increasing), and each with something unique to offer. Here are some more too!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ziL905aXGnE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ziL905aXGnE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /><br />
</div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-85067028899113788622015-09-09T13:24:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:24:31.385-07:00How I Quit My Job and Became a Freelance WriterThe trend this week in blogs I've been reading seems to be "How to Sell Your Books" through social media. I've decided to take the blogs' advice as well as pepper in a bit of my own while also shamelessly plugging my self-published book about writing, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Quit-Became-Freelance-Writer-ebook/dp/B00S1URWF2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441827740&sr=8-1&keywords=Jasmine+Stanford" target="_blank">How I Quit My Job and Became a Freelance Writer</a>."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Quit-Became-Freelance-Writer-ebook/dp/B00S1URWF2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441827740&sr=8-1&keywords=Jasmine+Stanford" target="_blank"><img height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51il4BIfKKL._SX312_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think this subject is worthy of a post because so many writers out there, though the figures are changing more drastically every day, are relying on getting picked up by publishers. Yes, I still buy a lot of physical books, but e-books are gaining in popularity and are arguably much more accessible and convenient than physical books. For example, in an article from the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/05/ereaders-ebooks-survey-how-many-people-read_n_1405449.html" target="_blank">Huffington Post in 2012</a>, over 21% of Americans had read an e-book <i>and</i> they read an average of eight more books per year than those who didn't. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What am I getting at?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anybody can be a writer!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not saying that every person necessarily has the <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-one-rule-to-being-successful-keep.html" target="_blank">skill and perseverance</a> to write quality content, or that even skilled writers will be successful writers.There are many more ingredients that go into the concoction that determines the success of a writer. But I'm saying that anyone could technically become an author and even sell a few copies of their book.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Take me for instance.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Before I quit my job and began freelance writing, I was a Team Leader in a production facility that made millions of frozen meals a year. I never thought I could be a writer. I worked in a factory, I was good at it, and I was on the fast track to earning lots (<i>lots</i>) of money. I was not happy working there and, after some reflection, decided I didn't think I could be happy in the line of work altogether. But I was good at it, it's who I was. I didn't think you could just up and change who you were. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
About a year before I quit my job I began writing for fun. I'd never written anything seriously before, it wasn't something I ever thought I could do. But it was <i>fun</i>. It was challenging. It gave me a kind of release that was foreign to me. But I was just messing around, it's something I did in my spare time. I wasn't a real writer (now I think...what <i>is </i>a real writer?) and I knew that you couldn't just become a writer overnight...but, I did. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Literally.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'd decided to quit my job and was looking for something part-time to pay the bills until I figured out a long term plan. I discovered a freelance writing website that promised lots of jobs, reasonable rates, and plenty of opportunity to grow. Within a day I had my first gig. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, I may not have been making near the amount I could have been making at my old job, but I was paying the mortgage and student loans (which was not too shabby in my book). The important thing to note here is that I was a hobby writer with no professional experience or training and <i>I was getting paid to write</i>. Blogs, books, articles...<i>oh my. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I learned about self-publishing through clients who had me involved in pieces of the entire process and I decided to try my hand at writing my own book about my journey. "How I Quit My Job and Became a Writer" has the important lessons, tips, resources, and struggles I experienced in the journey between being a Team Leader who was a hobby writer and getting paid every day to write. This is for those who are like me. A writer who doesn't feel like a writer. This book is meant to break down the barrier between the writing profession and everyone else. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And it's only $0.99, so don't be a cheapskate. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-678418961689640132015-09-04T09:07:00.000-07:002015-09-04T09:07:01.098-07:00The One Rule to Being Successful: Keep on Keeping OnI want to become a successful blogger, writer, teacher, student of the world, friend, wife, and mother. Every one of these goals is earned through perseverance, hard work, and a lifetime of practice and improvement. But, as humans, we rarely think in terms of decades. For example, we have a hard time with "I'm going to give up every Friday night to write from now on and then ten years from now I might have one or two really great books." Instead we lose sight of our goals temporarily, decide they're not feasible, or convince ourselves that they're just not that important to us. <i>For now</i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Free stock photo of cup, mug, desk, office" height="269" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/4458/cup-mug-desk-office-medium.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
But then what happens? A few months pass and you realize you haven't posted a single blog post. You realize how much fun you had writing a blog, the rush it gave you, and the sense of accomplishment you felt when you increased your readership from a measly one to a whole <i>two</i> people. Now you have to start all over.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
And as far as the whole feasibility thing goes, <i>nothing </i>is unfeasible if you work toward it your whole life. In Malcolm Gladwell's <i><a href="http://gladwell.com/outliers/" target="_blank">Outliers</a></i>, we discover that successful writers, musicians, wrestlers, and programmers don't have some magic gene that guarantees them a life of prosperity. No, they just put in a hell of a lot of hours (10,000 approximately) to get good at what they're now known for. And when opportunity meets preparation, special things begin to happen.<br />
<br />
So what are your realistic chances of success right now with your own blog, book, or other project?<br />
<br />
Let's take a look.<br />
<br />
In a world where we devour online content, watch dozens of videos per week, and know more about what our acquaintances all over the country are doing than what the person sitting next to us on the couch is doing, it still surprises me that there is so much inactivity online. For example, according to the Wall Street Journal <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/04/11/new-data-quantifies-dearth-of-tweeters-on-twitter/" target="_blank">44% of Twitter accounts</a> have never sent a tweet, and Marketing Land says over <a href="http://marketingland.com/ghost-town-study-says-70-percent-of-facebook-pages-are-inactive-27091" target="_blank">70% of Facebook accounts</a> are inactive. So what do you need to do to continue gaining followers and <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2015/08/building-twitter-platform-from-scratch.html" target="_blank">building your platform</a>? Just keep putting stuff out there. Retraction. Keep putting <i>good </i>stuff out there.<br />
<br />
Now let's talk about writing books. First of all, I think we need to address the different stages/versions of author. First you have the Idea Generator, the person who says "Hey, you know what would be a good book idea?" and then makes a note to themselves to pop out a quick book when they get the chance. Then you have the ADD author who just can't stay focused on any one thing (I am currently several thousand words in to at least three different books). Then you have the Faint at the Finish Line author who keeps it up through the whole book and peters out at the end. And finally, the author who actually finishes what they started. I'm not going to go into published/non-published here because, well, finishing a book as an accomplishment in itself.<br />
<br />
What makes any one of the authors stand out from the other? Time devoted to the craft, discipline, perseverance, and hard work. I think too many people get tied up in making their first efforts perfect when what they need to be focusing on is just getting some words onto the paper to keep up momentum. Your first draft is going to be sloppy, riddled with errors, it won't flow how you intended, some things won't make sense, some characters won't belong, and some of the phrases you labored over for an embarrassingly long time will have to be cut. So don't dwell on it, just finish it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Free stock photo of book, book pages, burned pages" height="266" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/3536/book-book-pages-burned-pages-medium.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
To wrap it all up with a tidy bow I want to take a look at one more very important statistic. <a href="https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2011/06/10/what-are-the-odds-really-taking-a-hard-look-at-success/" target="_blank">Only 5% of any population can sustain change</a>. That means only 5% of people will be able to put in several hours a week to update their blogs with fresh and engaging content, only 5% of people will be able to transform an inkling of a book idea into a polished journey of over 90,000 words, and probably just 5% are still reading this because I've rambled for far too long.<br />
<br />
So...yeah. Keep on keeping on.Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-38831421162911231052015-08-31T12:47:00.001-07:002015-08-31T12:47:34.683-07:00Married with Board Games: Five TribesNot a surprise since I just announced it as one of my favorite games on my <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2015/08/my-top-20-board-gamesand-why-youll.html" target="_blank">Top 20 list</a>, Five Tribes is one of my all-time favorite games to play with my boyfriend. Perhaps my enthusiasm is partly due to the fact that he's never beat me...maybe? Nah, it's probably just because it's an incredibly beautiful and well-designed game. Right?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://cdn0.daysofwonder.com/five-tribes/en/img/ft-home_picture1.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Look at it! Now go to the <a href="http://www.daysofwonder.com/five-tribes/en" target="_blank">website</a> and see what's inside the pretty pretty box...seriously go ahead...some pretty pretty pieces! If you need something to draw you to a game, the aesthetics and art work in Five Tribes might just be enough for you. Seriously, look at these:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://cdn0.daysofwonder.com/five-tribes/en/img/ft-home_picture5.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, why do I think this is the perfect game to play with your spouse? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>It plays well with two people: </b>Most strategic games have some sort of two player variant but they can be extremely disappointing. For example, as much as I love 7 Wonders, playing with one dummy player does not make a two player variant. Sorry. Five Tribes actually has differences to change up the strategy of the game when you play with two people. <a name='more'></a>Now you bid twice per round so you can either bid low and save money (and make your opponent cough it up) or bid higher to set yourself up with a back-to-back turn. When you play with two people it feels like the game was specifically designed for two people, and that is an accomplishment.</li>
<li><b>I'm hungry for some "point salad" (and you should be too): </b>Some people like destruction and conflict, some like set collecting, some like gaining and using special abilities, and others just like raking in money. Whatever your personal style is, Five Tribes can cover it. I personally love collecting sets of goods and then seeing my boyfriend's face when he realizes I'm holding 60 points worth of goods in my hand. I love that no single strategy is much better than another and you never quite know who's winning, which brings me to the next thing I love about Five Tribes...</li>
<li><b>There are no runaway winners: </b>Everyone has been there. One person is leaps and bounds ahead of you and you know there's no way you can catch up (that's the sort of thing that can ruin your chance of getting your spouse to fall in love with board games). In Five Tribes the opposite is often true, you <i>think </i>someone is way ahead and then come scoring time, they get last place. This is because there are so many ways to get points and it's hard to put your finger on exactly where someone is standing.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Though the publishers recommend the game for ages 13+, I think you can introduce it to younger kids pretty easily. The only thing that can be a bit confusing is the Mancala-style "movement," but once that is understood the game is pretty simple. It is ranked #40 on <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157354/five-tribes" target="_blank">Board Game Geek</a> and is continuing to pick up more steam as more people play it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, if you hate reading rules as much as I do or you hate explaining games as much as I do, you can watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTXLsCPbg2Q" target="_blank">Rodney Smith's play-through</a> and learn all you need to know without having a meltdown...or falling asleep with the rule book. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hope you enjoy! </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-49953880241379515562015-08-26T10:04:00.000-07:002015-08-26T12:11:49.484-07:00The 7 Worst Characteristics About YA BooksI consider myself a Young Adult author in the sense that I'm most interested and most comfortable in this genre. Because I write YA fiction, I also read <i>a ton </i>of it. Or maybe that's the other way around? Maybe I'm so interested in it because I've read so much of it. Regardless, YA is my jam. That's why I need to do this post. There are some <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2015/08/4-young-adult-fiction-books-you-need-to.html" target="_blank">incredible YA books</a> that I feel everyone needs to read with complex characters, smart plots, and narrative voices that say "Reader, I trust you to keep up." There are also YA books that do the exact opposite of these things and I've compiled a list of the 7 <i>worst </i>characteristics of many YA books so you and I can be cognizant of them in our own writing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://static.pexels.com/photos/1854/person-woman-hand-relaxing-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free stock photo of person, woman, hand, relaxing" border="0" height="265" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/1854/person-woman-hand-relaxing-medium.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Annoyingly Hip</b><br />
We've all read books that make us cringe with their slang, technology, and Mean-Girls-on-steroids type interactions. To me this is a little bit hard to overcome in writing because you want modern narrative and you convince yourself this is the way to do it. But there can be too much of a good thing here, we need to make sure we use this modern-speak in moderation. You can only mention Twitter, iPads, Apps, and popular websites so many times before readers say "Okay, we get it. The characters are teens in the 21st century..."<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b>The One Size Fits All Character</b><br />
Yes, you want your main characters to be relatable since readers spend so much time with them, but they don't need to suit <i>every single person</i>. The girl who is shy but somehow super popular, who is self-conscious but also incredibly beautiful, who is smart in an endearing way, and who has just enough family problems to cover every teen but not enough to alienate anyone.<br />
<br />
Sound familiar?<br />
<br />
It should, this character is a classic one-size-fits-all. This is tempting to write because it's like giving readers a blank canvas to project their own personalities onto, but it gets old. Instead, give characters big personalities like <i>real people</i>. Readers don't necessarily need to see themselves in the character to relate, they want complex traits and realistic faults.<br />
<br />
<b>Over Explaining/Not Challenging Readers</b><br />
I love mysteries, but I don't love mysteries that are way too obvious or spend too much time explaining what should have been subtle hints. Readers are smart and they want the chance to prove it to themselves. If they caught the slip-up spoken by your characters best frenemy then <i>great, </i>they'll feel like they're Sherlock always one step ahead of you. If not, it's a fun twist you get to unveil later. Reading something that's too obvious or dumbed-down makes readers feel like you don't have faith in them to keep up with you.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Simple Plot and Vocabulary</b><br />
This kind of goes along with the last point but I wanted to give it its due diligence. Don't be afraid to use big words and complex sentence structure. Fluffy dialogue and simple vocabulary are like cotton candy: they melt in readers' mouths but leave them still feeling empty. Smart writing that challenges readers is like a hefty main course: it may take a little while to get through but leaves readers feeling full and satisfied.<br />
<br />
<b>The I-Never-Do-This-Except-For-This-Book Character</b><br />
This is so not me I never cry, but suddenly every other page is a tear-fest. I've never had a boyfriend, but suddenly I have all this love drama (complete with the requisite love triangle). I never break the rules but the whole book is filled with nothing but morally-questionable shenanigans.<br />
<br />
This does not make for a trustworthy narrator/main character.<br />
<br />
<b>Everything is a Series</b><br />
I get it. Agents <i>love </i>series. Once a reader gets hooked it's like a cash cow. But...some things aren't meant to be series. I don't want to feel like you're dragging me along on an eight book ride just to see the story fall apart and almost become painfully awkward to read. Figure out what you're going to write and then stick with it. None of this surprise-additional-book business.<br />
<br />
**Side note: I devour series so I totally get the draw, but there have been very few series that I finish feeling happy and sated with the entire journey and outcome.**<br />
<br />
<b>Too Many Real Issues</b><br />
We all want a little grit in our story, but some books take it a bit too far. Yes, some teens lead very complicated lives but your novel does not need to be a Degrassi episode. STDs, eating disorders, school shootings, racism, bullying, homosexuality, identity crises, and sex scandals are all legitimate issues but don't cram them into your story like a packed clown car.<br />
<br />
<b>What are your biggest pet-peeves in YA books?</b><br />
<br />Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-9617826184920967992015-08-24T09:12:00.000-07:002015-08-24T09:12:54.017-07:00Making the Time to Write When You're BusyAs the summer ends and the school year begins I am faced with too much to fill my plate and nothing I can give up. So what do you do when you're faced with these dilemmas day after day? You still write. You write in any spare moment even for just a few minutes.<br />
<br />
I'd be a hypocrite if I said I've never put my writing on hiatus, but this post is just as much for me as it is for everyone else out there. We need to stay pumped, focused, and...<i>sane</i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Free stock photo of man, person, woman, face" height="266" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/2015/man-person-woman-face-medium.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So how do you make the time to write when it seems like every minute of your day is spoken for?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Wake up 30 minutes earlier than you need to: </b>If you're a morning person then you're a weirdo, but a weirdo who can manage to function like a normal human being before two cups of coffee.</li>
<li><b>Outline or brainstorm story ideas on your cell phone or tablet: </b>It's surprising how much you can get onto paper when you know what it is you want to write. By taking some time on the bus/subway, before a meeting, in line, or in the bathroom (hey, some of my best thinking happens in the bathroom) to plan the next moments of your story or your next blog post you can double your writing productivity!</li>
<li><b>Pack your lunch: </b>If you are like most other writers, you have a day job that pays the bills. Instead of taking your full hour of lunch to go out to eat or to run home, pack a lunch and use your hour wisely at your desk. This could mean an extra 45 minutes of writing time <i>every day</i>. </li>
<li><b>Make yourself write: </b>Most of the time it's not our schedules that get in the way of writing, <a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/how-to-write-a-book-when-youre-really-really-busy" target="_blank">it's ourselves</a>. Are you watching too much TV? Do you spend too much time browsing the internet for nothing in particular? Cut these activities out and you'll likely find huge windows of time that can be used for something much better. Can't keep yourself from checking those incoming notifications? Try temporary website blocking services like <a href="http://getcoldturkey.com/" target="_blank">Cold Turkey</a> to keep you on track for as long as you want.</li>
<li><b>Use nap time wisely: </b>I'm not a mom yet, nor do I pretend to know how hard the job is, but I do know that most kids take naps. The mothers I know usually use that time to clean, cook, or take a nap themselves to prepare for round two. Instead of doing these things (except for the occasional naps...every mommy deserves some rest) write during nap time and have the kids help with the cleanup and cooking if they are able. 3 year-olds can learn some incredibly useful tidying skills. Think of it as an investment.</li>
<li><b>Stay up past your bed time: </b>If the day whizzed by without any writing, take a few minutes before bed to pound a few hundred words out. If you're anything like me, your head is clearer in the later hours and your creative juices flow a bit easier.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I hope we can all get a bit of use out of this tip list in the coming months. Keep writing!</div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-81660980927065972422015-08-20T13:31:00.001-07:002015-08-20T13:31:45.069-07:00My Top 20 Board Games...and Why You'll Disagree<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/user/2/27575-202369-TehRackjpg-620x.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/sheppy/conversion-of-a-board-gamer-202369.phtml" target="_blank">http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/sheppy/conversion-of-a-board-gamer-202369.phtml </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Any legitimate board gamer out there will most likely look at my list and scoff at the number of party games that made it to my top 20 (or the fact that I play party games at all!), but I must include a disclaimer here about my list. I ranked all the games I own and all the games I can remember playing by how much fun they were and how much I look forward to playing them again.<br />
<br />
That's it.<br />
<br />
I didn't take into account design, length, theme, my own game group, etc (though these all add to my experience so they are included overall). All I did was gauge my own fond memories and excitement to play again. Part of me feels like I need to defend this and part of me feels like it speaks for itself. Why do we play games? To have fun! To be social! To make memories! To me, that's what this list represents.<br />
<br />
Allow me to make a quick comment on behalf of anyone who has ever done this before. I basically rated all of my board games on <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/" target="_blank">BoardGameGeek</a>, meaning I had about 30 games that were ranked between 9-10. I had ten games <i>that I like very much </i>which had to be cut. I can only imagine that's akin to picking a favorite child.<br />
<br />
Drum roll, please.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/itAOGRiYRLI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/itAOGRiYRLI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>20. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/156496/march-ants" target="_blank">March of the Ants:</a> </b>This is a great light option with a lot of theme. There are only four rounds, there are only a certain number of turns you can take, and each action allows non-active players to take a counter action, so AP is much less painful in this game. There can be as much or as little conflict as you like and it is simple yet addicting enough to be a gateway game.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>19. <a href="http://www.loadedquestions.com/" target="_blank">Loaded Questions:</a> </b>I know, I know, but you can't say I didn't warn you. Loaded Questions is a long time favorite of mine to pull out at parties and get-togethers where people don't know each other that well. It's a hilarious ice breaker and conversation starter. WARNING: Do NOT play at family reunions unless you wish to be scarred for life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>18. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/478/citadels" target="_blank">Citadels:</a> </b>I have been called many names during Citadels, so you might not want to play unless your skin is thick. Citadels is chock full of conflict and vengeance but you can also escape the brunt of this conflict by strategizing and not being predictable in your actions. Different roles also give this game good replay-ability. That is if your friends will want to play with you after you kill them and steal all their gold...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>17. <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/171623/voyages-marco-polo" target="_blank">The Voyages of Marco Polo:</a> </b>This is a recent play of mine but I was so impressed with it that it made its way right to the top of my list. This game is rich in strategic options and has near-limitless replay-ability due to its characters, special ability cards, contracts, etc. It's a dice placement game where low rolls have just as much of an advantage as high rolls, so luck plays less of a roll (no pun intended).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>16. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39463/cosmic-encounter" target="_blank">Cosmic Encounter:</a> </b>Aliens, special powers, card battling, and planetary domination. What? You want more? Cosmic Encounter is easy to pull out among a variety of people. I myself am not typically into space-themed games but I love Cosmic Encounter. The different roles make it nearly impossible to play the same game twice unless you stack the deck. The game also has a semi-cooperative vibe at times where all players gang up to beat one, or two-on-two, etc. AND more than one person can win, which is always interesting. You'll begin to understand who your <i>true </i>friends are in no time...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>15. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/150376/dead-winter-crossroads-game" target="_blank">Dead of Winter:</a> </b>I was so excited about this game when I first heard about it. It is rich with theme and there are just <i>so many </i>options for every player. You have group goals, individual goals, a hidden traitor, and a number of ways you can die and become overrun with flesh-eating zombies. This does take a bit of setup but the game itself is simple to play and could even be fun for those who are relatively new to games. I won't say this is a gateway game as it is a bit heavier than most in the category, but it's one of my favorite nonetheless. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>14. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157969/sheriff-nottingham" target="_blank">Sheriff of Nottingham:</a> </b>Another theme-rich game, Sheriff of Nottingham is a silly lying game (or truth telling depending on your cards and personal style) that revolves around bribery, contraband, and sneaking goods into Nottingham behind the Sheriff's back, or tricking him into checking your load and getting paid for telling the truth! I love this because it lets the quiet ones come out of their shell a bit and it offers plenty of opportunity for some light role playing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
**And here's the point in my list where things start to get a little hard to sort through and decide what I like best. I love all of these games, I would play each and every one of them <i>right now</i>, but alas, that is not the nature of this list. So I must choose.**</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>13. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9209/ticket-ride" target="_blank">Ticket to Ride (USA map):</a> </b>Ticket to Ride is now a <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2015/08/ticket-to-ride-10-reasons-you-must-add.html" target="_blank">must-have game</a>, it's easy to pull out for nearly any group of people, it's great for kids, and it never really gets old. It can be quick and peaceful; it can be tense and full of conflict. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Flip table meme - Little Rock to Nashville? I was going to go there!" height="200" src="http://cdn.meme.am/instances2/500x/1477682.jpg" width="200" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>12. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41114/resistance" target="_blank">The Resistance:</a> </b>Can I just say how much I love the hidden bad-guy games? I love lying to the people that trust me most, I love the tension everyone feels when they realize they don't know as much as they thought they did about their friends. The Resistance does that for me. It's a social game about deceit that usually ends in laughter and it's <i>quick. Everyone </i>can have a chance to be the spy or resistance multiple times over.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>11. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/21763/mr-jack" target="_blank">Mr. Jack:</a> </b>A two player game! One person plays a detective and the other is Jack the Ripper. Over a series of rounds Jack tries to either stay undiscovered or sneak out of London. Eight characters are manipulated and each has a different special ability to make the game exciting and unpredictable. So good, and one of my favorite two-player games. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>10. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/128882/resistance-avalon" target="_blank">The Resistance Avalon:</a></b> First of all, it's a different game so get off my back. Second of all, it adds a completely new layer to the game. Now you have a Merlin character that knows who the spies are and can point them out to you! Or is that the spy pretending to be Merlin? Mind = Blown.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>9. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39856/dixit" target="_blank">Dixit:</a> </b>Dixit is basically Apples to Apples but with <i>incredible </i>art work instead of words. It also allows you to give your own cryptic clues and everyone else tries to lay a card that matches your clue then votes on the one they think is yours. Simple, fun, and a great filler for between heavier games. My only qualm with the game is that you work through the deck of the base game in one sitting. You need to get the expansions to get decent replay-ability out of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>8. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46213/telestrations" target="_blank">Telestrations:</a> </b>I don't know if I've ever laughed even half as much in a game as I have when playing Telestrations. You can play with nearly any age and it never gets old. Make it as mature as you want with your college friends or as family-friendly as you want. You can make up your own topics and the more people you add the more hilarious and messed up the pictures get. On my first game with only four people, what started as a whale wound up being guessed "The Gulf of Mexico." So...yeah. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>7. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/107181/scene-it-harry-potter-complete-cinematic-journey" target="_blank">Scene It? Harry Potter:</a></b> I don't need to justify this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="funny harry potter memes sassy dumbledore" height="179" src="http://cdn.smosh.com/sites/default/files/ftpuploads/bloguploads/0913/harry-potter-memes-dumbledore-girl.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/435682-harry-potter </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>6. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/68448/7-wonders" target="_blank">7 Wonders:</a> </b>I love the drafting mechanic and I think it works really well in 7 Wonders. We've had mixed luck teaching the game but we've rarely ever played it less than twice in a row because, after the first game of learning, people usually want to play again. It only takes about 30 minutes to complete a game and that doesn't increase with the number of players since everyone is active simultaneously, a great aspect for those with attention problems. I also love that there is more than one strategy to focus on so it doesn't feel like you're playing the same game over and over again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>5. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/14996/ticket-ride-europe" target="_blank">Ticket to Ride Europe:</a> </b>Okay, I promise this is the last semi-repeat, though I think this counts as a separate game too. TTR Europe is a little more fun than the USA version in my opinion. You have "long routes" worth more points and potential disappointment, train stations so a blocked city isn't the end of the world, and tunneling that adds a gambling aspect to the game.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>4. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/32441/bezzerwizzer" target="_blank">Bezzerwizzer:</a></b> A trivia game with several categories, Bezzerwizzer has a pub-trivia-night feel to it because you can switch topics and hijack other teams' questions. I love the flexibility of the number of people it can play since trivia is even more fun in teams.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>3. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/891/cranium" target="_blank">Cranium:</a></b> This has to be my all time favorite party game because it has every party game rolled into it: drawing, singing, acting, puppeteering, sculpting, trivia, spelling, and word puzzles. There's really no going wrong with this one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>2. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36218/dominion" target="_blank">Dominion:</a> </b>A deck building game with simple rules,even simpler victory conditions, and a number of variations within the base game itself, Dominion is one of my all-time favorite games. It plays well with 2 players and well with 6, it's just a well-rounded game altogether. You can choose a variation with a lot of attack cards or opt for a zero conflict game if you want. Dominion is everything you make of it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>1. <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157354/five-tribes" target="_blank">Five Tribes:</a></b> So pretty! Apart from it being an incredibly visually appealing game, Five Tribes also has many strategies to choose from. You can collect goods from the market, eat up the djins, or plop camels down like it's your job. One of many things I love about this game is that it's nearly impossible to tell who's winning at any given time. I've won about 6 out of 7 times and 5 of those times I thought I had come in last place prior to scoring. I love games where you're never out of the running.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well that's my list! But I can't leave without some honorable mentions and why they ultimately weren't chosen to be part of my top 20:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Taboo - </b>too much is dependent on how well you can think under pressure and how well you know your partner(s).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Letters from Whitechapel - </b>it seems a little unbalanced in Jack's favor unless a newbie is Jack.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Euphoria - </b>I liked the contracts and routes that Marco Polo had to offer a bit more than this dice placement game.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Pandemic</b> - I am typically not a huge fan of pure co-op. I like Pandemic a lot but I prefer to play against people instead of games.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Empire Builder - </b>it's just a bit too long. I like the logistics and the supply chain of it, but at some point you stop building and just start collecting money until you reach 250 million, at which point it slows down considerably for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Geek Out - </b>I love geeking out as much as the rest of them, but while you're listing 197 super heroes that wear red, I have nothing to do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Catan - </b>I still love playing Catan but there are more complex and flavorful games that I'd rather play.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Spyfall - </b>I really like the role play and the sneaky-ness of Spyfall but the game very much depends on the people you play with for me. Some are uncomfortable with this style of game or just really bad at answering questions appropriately which can make it too hard/easy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Castles of Burgundy - </b>With a little more flavor this could have made it to my top 20.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-42725468415738723782015-08-19T15:07:00.000-07:002015-08-20T13:37:48.251-07:00Building a Twitter Platform from ScratchConfession time. Until about a week ago I was kinda sorta anti-Twitter. I'm not sure why I never got into it, I think it was a cross between hating the constraint and the perceived neediness of it all. I hated feeling like I was trying so hard to connect with people and be witty.<br />
<br />
*cough* circle-jerk *cough*<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="162" src="https://g.twimg.com/Twitter_logo_blue.png" width="200" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But about a week ago my boyfriend talked me into re-activating my Twitter account. I'd made one about a year prior but never got the hang of it, so it sat unused like a pair of roller skates after the 80s.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I digress. But it's worth pointing out that no one roller skates anymore. Blades are where it's at.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I stumbled through six or seven of my most used passwords to try and resuscitate the feeble thing and after only a few minutes I was in! With...2 followers, who I didn't know. Now is the point of my journey that I share the fact that I'm basically a closet writer. I write for me and it's a part of my life that is semi-private from my friends and family. I like that I get to be someone else and not have to worry about someone not liking what I have to say. I feel like a teenager that is just growing in to her body and developing her own personality. I'm still in that awkward hone-your-voice stage.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My Facebook page is where I keep in touch with people from past lives. My Twitter page is my attempt at building a platform from which to strengthen my own writing career, but also to network with important people in the business.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, as I said, I had two followers when I dusted off the ol' Twitter account and I needed to grow rapidly. I am 5 days into this journey of growth and I have increased my followers more than tenfold! (Those of you who bother with the math will discover that I have over 20 followers...which isn't very much). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, before you knock it, know that every one of those followers were achieved naturally and they're all real people. Yeah, you can buy 10,000 Twitter followers but what does that really gain you in the long run? I want to build a community of followers who are engaged with my Tweets and actually read what I have to say. You can only get that by saying things...saying a hell of a lot of things...#SoTired.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you're anything like me you are still learning about Twitter, what works, and what falls on deaf ears. To help you get started generating real followers, take a look at the few tips I've compiled below:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. Be genuine:</b> No one wants to read through 100% promotional garbage. Of course you should be tweeting your posts and content from others that you really like, but make sure it reflects you and what your followers can come to expect. Some people follow you so you will follow them, that's fine but don't go re-tweeting things for the sake of it<i>. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2. Be smart with your hashtags and handles:</b> A well-placed Twitter handle or hashtag will give you more visibility, call attention to your message, and place your tweet in sorted categories so it will be easier for people to find pertinent information. But too much of this good thing in particular can make a tweet near impossible to read and people will ignore it. You don't want people to ignore it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>3. Be active on others' Twitters:</b> Follow some of your favorite writers, bloggers, and peers and then stay active on their accounts. You will eventually get a re-tweet or call-out and some new followers will trickle in. Keep up the effort and you'll have a small community of people, not robots, in no time.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>4. Pay attention to what is trending:</b> If you have something funny or valuable to say regarding a trending topic, get in there! People are actively combing through said topic and a good post could mean many followers.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These are the main tips I've gleaned so far. Again, it's been five days people. I'll try and update when I reach one hundred followers and share anything new I've learned.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-55996855751274513812015-08-17T09:53:00.002-07:002015-08-17T09:53:44.208-07:00Ticket to Ride: 10 Reasons You Must Add it to Your CollectionFar be it for me to tell you how to live your life, but GET TICKET TO RIDE RIGHT NOW.<br />
<br />
I mean it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="300" src="http://cdn1.daysofwonder.com/tickettoride/en/img/tt_photo1.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am not exaggerating when I say Ticket to Ride is one of my favorite games of all time, and probably the game that I've played the most. I've decided to dedicate my first game suggestion for those <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2015/08/married-with-board-games-introduction.html" target="_blank">Married with Board Games</a> to Ticket to Ride because it is beloved in my home and in the gamer world in general. You will likely have to search far and wide for a gamer who has not heard of or played Ticket to Ride. That sounds like a poem.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You will likely search far and wide</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>For a gamer who has not played Ticket to Ride</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Okay, someone else finish it. I'm no poet.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But, seriously. TTR is the best option for couples, families, friends, new gamers, light gamers, Euro gamers, and non-hipster gamers. I include that last one because the more popular certain games get, the more hipster gamers feel they have to shun it, i.e. Settler's of Catan (or is it just Catan now?).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
So why should you choose TTR as your first board game? Shall we do this David Letterman style?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>10.</b> <b>It's quick to teach.</b> With simple rules, turn actions, and winning conditions there is very little confusion around the rules (though I bet you'll still have the <u>one</u> person that whines "Well you didn't tell me that. That changes my <i>whole </i>strategy").</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>9. It's quick to play. </b>There's nothing worse than being halfway through a game night and someone suggests playing a game that takes 2-3 hours <i>at best. </i>TTR can save you from said painful moments. Depending on the size of the group you're playing with and the number of newbies, it usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>8. You can play it with the family. </b>As seen at any board game convention, kids LOVE TTR. It's simple enough to grasp, short enough to hold interest, and fun enough to pull out every weekend. Publisher <a href="http://www.daysofwonder.com/en/index/" target="_blank">Days of Wonder</a> suggests anyone ages 8+ will be able to enjoy the game.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>7.You can play it with grown-ups. </b>And of course TTR is still an incredible option to pull out at any adult game night. It really never loses its draw, this game.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>6. People will want to hang out with you now. </b>Which I'm sure they did before...but they will have a much better excuse to come over now. Introduce TTR to your group of friends and you will be a savior, a godsend, and a <i>requirement </i>at gatherings. Until they buy a copy for themselves...then you have to come up with a new plan.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>5. I have never met a gamer who doesn't like it (hipsters don't count). </b>Yes, I've met people who have played it hundreds of times (not an exaggeration) who might prefer to play something new, but I've also met people who've played it hundreds of times (still not an exaggeration) who can't get enough of it. One thing that they can all agree on is that it's a great game.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>4. There are multiple versions. </b>Days of Wonder really took this success and ran with it. There are several different maps and expansions for TTR: USA, Europe, India, Switzerland, Asia, Africa, and Germany to name a few. Each map usually has a unique rule or addition to it as well such as train stations, country-to-country bonuses, and tunneling. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>3. You can choose high-conflict or diplomatic. </b>There are many ways to turn a nice quiet game of TTR into a fierce game where strategy and sabotage prevail. Couples can choose a nice game on the big USA map or a more conflict-ridden map like Switzerland that can only play up to 3 people it is so small. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2.You can get TTR in board game, card game, online game, and podcast form. </b>TTR is so addicting it's not enough for some people to just play the board game. They must eat, sleep, and breath it! Days of Wonder has released a Ticket to Ride card game that can be easily packed and played on the go and an online version of the board game that can be <a href="http://www.daysofwonder.com/online/en/t2r" target="_blank">downloaded</a> on Steam, Apple's App Store, Google Play, and many other platforms. Geek culture has also embraced the game and featured it on many video blogs, web series, and podcasts.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qHmf1bau9xQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qHmf1bau9xQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And finally.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. It is the epitome of a gateway game. </b>This reason deserves to be number one because TTR is the sole reason hundreds of people joined the board game hobby. My personal gateway game was probably Settler's of Catan, but TTR was a very close second (and only because I played Catan much earlier). Some people are intimidated by board games or they don't have an accurate picture of what board games are like today. Ticket to Ride is a great way to introduce them to the hobby without scaring them off with a four hour game and it will keep them coming back for more.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Let me know if you have a different suggestion for the first game that must be added to any board game collection. Until then -- Play more games. Do more things. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-26536390545832875202015-08-15T13:20:00.000-07:002015-08-15T13:20:00.612-07:004 Young Adult Fiction Books You Need to ReadI know, I know. There are a hundred million thousand billion posts like this...but I can't help it. I want to tell you what to read. And then I want you to tell me how much you loved every book on the list and thank me for changing your life forever. Is that too much to ask? The list isn't comprehensive of all YA books since, well, I haven't read <i>all the books</i>. These books aren't in any order, nor are they necessarily my top four favorite YA of all time. For instance, you won't find Harry Potter on here even though I consider it a prerequisite to being my friend. I guess you will find it on here since I just mentioned it. Anywho... read Harry Potter.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="NewVA" height="200" src="http://www.richellemead.com/images/NewVA-120.jpg" width="134" /> <img height="200" src="http://www.richellemead.com/images/bloodlines-120.jpg" width="132" /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>1. <i>Vampire Academy</i> & <i>Bloodlines</i> by Richelle Mead</b><br />
<a href="http://www.richellemead.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Richelle Mead</a> gets a twofer since these series are very closely related (just a switch of POV as the story progresses). What does this book have to offer? Unique vampires, the school scene we all fell in love with in HP, romance, danger, <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2013/05/does-vampire-academy-encourage-teen.html" target="_blank">strong female characters</a>, and secret societies. If you saw the movie and weren't in to it, give it a second chance. The movie tried way too hard to be modern, sexy, and cool.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="200" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b3/An_Abundance_of_Katherines-cover.jpg/220px-An_Abundance_of_Katherines-cover.jpg" width="132" /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>2. <i>An Abundance of Katherines</i> by John Greene</b><br />
<a href="http://johngreenbooks.com/" target="_blank">John Greene</a> has mastered the art of capturing the angst, drama, and recklessness of teens in their love and refusal to live life to anything <i>but </i>the fullest. His first to achieve fame was <i>The Fault in Our Stars</i>, another unique and beautiful story about life, love, and loss, but I relate more with the heartbreak, moments of loneliness, and existential crises depicted in <i>An Abundance of Katherines.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for lord of the flies" height="200" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="127" /></div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>3. Lord of the Flies </i>by William Golding</b><br />
Recent series such as <i>The Hunger Games </i>and <i>Divergent </i>depict a dystopian future where teens and young adults are the center of a world-changing resistance. Though <i>Lord of the Flies </i>is not dystopian, it is an incredible illustration of what the world might be like if run by children. Though it is a relatively simple book, it is mature, rich in philosophy, and leaves one questioning the inherent nature of humanity. Plus there's a fat kid main character with asthma named Piggy. What's not to like?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="The Lying Game" height="200" src="http://www.saracshepard.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/tlg_the_lying_game_book_cover-198x300.jpg" width="132" /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>4. <i>The Lying Game </i>by Sara Shepard</b><br />
<a href="http://www.saracshepard.com/the-lying-game/" target="_blank">Sara Shepard</a> has a gift for keeping you on the edge of your seat, tearing through pages, and staying up past your bedtime. Her better known series <i>Pretty Little Liars </i>absolutely took over ABC Family and has Twitter ablaze during each episode. <i>The Lying Game </i>is no less addicting and has the same teen drama as its counterpart. It's a modern day "whodunit" but with many more iPhones.<br />
<br />
<b>Four books don't cover all the brilliant must-reads out there, what do you like to read?</b><br />
<br />Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-56471676019626081242015-08-12T13:03:00.000-07:002015-08-13T12:13:13.695-07:00Married with Board Games: An Introduction to Converting Your SpouseI love board games. My boyfriend loves board games. We're a happy couple, 'nough said. Okay, maybe that's not all there is to it...but it helps.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Free stock photo of young, game, match, kids" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/2923/young-game-match-kids-medium.jpg" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So why doesn't everyone play board games instead of sitting silently in front of the TV or spending an intimate evening with their phones? My theory is that they haven't found the <i>right </i>games to play. In this blog thread I will suggest games for couples to play together to introduce the idea of gaming and hopefully start a life-long hobby. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So. Without further ado, why should you be playing games?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>It's a Fun Way to Spend Quality Time</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My first memories of board games were of playing different family games each year on New Year's Eve. We'd just moved away from all of our extended family and instead of getting bummed on the holidays, we started some new traditions of our own. Fast forward 22 years or so and I still play family board games every New Year's Eve (and almost every other day of the year...not the point). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It is an incredible way to spend time together talking, laughing, and playing. You can learn a lot about someone when they feel threatened in a game of Risk...maybe some things you didn't want to know. Joking aside, there's nothing quite like having the undivided attention of a person to whom you are giving up your time to be with. Put the phones away, turn off the TV, and really <i>be with people</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Everyone Else is Doing It</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Okay, so maybe this isn't a great reason to do most things, but it is definitely a reason to finally embrace gaming. The board game hobby has absolutely blown up in the past fifteen years. What used to consist of 80 versions of Monopoly, Magic the Gathering (and the smell that came with it...), and the weird kids who played Dungeons and Dragons has now grown into a thriving market of people with all sorts of different interests and gaming comfort levels.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There are conventions, Meet Ups, and clubs sprouting up all over the world to celebrate a love for everything board games. This means that you will have instant friends who like the same things you do as soon as you sit down to play with these people. And we're an open group, we want <i>everyone </i>to play board games, the more the merrier. This also means that you won't have to drop hundreds of dollars to adopt the hobby...though you'll probably want to (it's called.acquisition disorder...yep, it's so serious gamers gave it a clinical-sounding name). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Let's just review. Playing board games is a <i>fun </i>hobby, that will help you make and spend more time with <i>friends, </i>and you can do it for free (though you'll probably become addicted and NEED to buy that expansion or that new release or that promotion or every game from that designer you like....my precioussssss).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Need I say more?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now that you're thoroughly convinced that board games are for you and your significant other, stay tuned for a weekly post about game suggestions and lists of must-plays. Until then, check out the communities at <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/" target="_blank">BoardGameGeek</a>, the <a href="http://www.dicetower.com/" target="_blank">Dice Tower</a>, and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames" target="_blank">Reddit</a> for some good conversation and insight.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Play on, playa'. </div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-51034604563109628312015-08-10T13:55:00.000-07:002015-08-10T14:00:04.466-07:00Staying Motivated After the Excitement of Beginning Your Novel Wears OffStarting a novel can be an incredible rush. New characters, an idea that just seems <i>so original</i>, who wouldn't want to pick it up? I begin each of my books so confident that I convince myself <i>this </i>will be the book that I get published. <i>This </i>will be the first of many chart topping successes. And most importantly, <i>this </i>will be the one that lets me quit my day job.<br />
<br />
A few days in to writing and the infectious excitement inevitably wears off and you have a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde moment. The demon on your shoulder whispers convincingly in your ear, "You think this is <i>good</i>? Your characters are all watered down versions of what you had in mind. Your story is boring. And you don't know how to fix any of it. Maybe you should just step away for a few days to think about it."<br />
<br />
No!<br />
<br />
Coming from someone who has listened to that demon, <i>don't do it</i>. Sure, the story may be turning out different than you expected, you may have trouble finding the right words, and your characters seem a little <i>blah</i> but (let's see how many cliches we can apply) Rome wasn't built in a day, each journey starts with just one step, and..that's it. Two. I could only think of two.<br />
<br />
The important thing here is that we remember that this feeling is going to come and we prepare ourselves to face it head on. I'm about 7,000 words into a new novel right now that doesn't have a clear arc or direction. There are three main characters and I am having an incredibly hard time staying focused. The demon on my shoulder whispers for me to give up because if I'm<i> </i>having a hard time focusing on my own book how can I expect anyone else to want to read it? Touche, demon. But I'm not going to give up, instead I'm going to ride myself a little bit harder.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Free stock photo of schedule, startup, to do, whiteboard" height="266" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/7376/startup-photos-medium.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
I think I'm having trouble focusing because I haven't really given myself undivided time to think through my story. I got the initial idea, I rushed through some basic outlining and character development, and I jumped into writing.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Now I've written the titillating start of the book and I'm in the awkward story arc climb. Everything I write seems simultaneously info-dumpy, vague, purposeless, and unorganized. But I can't listen to my demon because I know what will happen. I'll take a breather for a few days and then <i>never come back again! </i>I'm not kidding. I have half started manuscripts to prove it. In fact, I was so uncomfortable with my first book that, once I finished it and took the suggested <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2013/06/countdown-to-editing-my-book.html" target="_blank">six week breathing period</a> to distance myself in preparation for editing, I never opened it up again. I printed it (Oh! All that wasted ink and paper...) but I never touched it.<br />
<br />
I'm trying something new now. I've created a to-do list full of must-dos for the week, broken up into day increments so I don't find myself crying under a pile of unfinished tasks on Friday. Along with household, fitness (or my sad excuse for such...), and school tasks, I have included writing tasks. I don't mean just "write 1,000 words," which I have plenty of, I include items that will be fun, challenging, and productive. <br />
<br />
I currently have two projects: this blog and my new novel. The tasks that I assign myself are designed to be inspirational and help me move forward. For instance, some of my tasks are to read other blogs. Now, before you go thinking this is a sad excuse to use my would-be productive time for something wasteful and unimportant, I'd like to point out that other authors inspire me to keep going. They write relatable posts about their own struggles to plow through their stories. They also help me come up with ideas of what to write about. For instance, this post was inspired by a <a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/5-writing-challenges-all-writers-face-how-to-deal-with-them" target="_blank">Writer's Digest post</a> about author Cherilynn Veland and the 5 challenges all writers face.<br />
<br />
Other items on my list include time devoted to brainstorming, writing blog posts, writing short stories unrelated to my book (which may seem counterproductive but it really does help get the creative juices flowing, and I'll get to share some of them on the blog, so...two birds, one stone...), and doing research into topics covered in the book. It's amazing what a medical journal article about gender reassignment surgery can do for your creative process.<br />
<br />
Speaking of creative process, get one. You don't necessarily have to stick to it, but get one. It will help you fight your demon into submission so you can write in peace. My current creative process is the to-do list. I give myself time every week to contemplate what I want to get done the following week and I make sure each day has plenty of writing along with plenty of other stuff to keep me motivated. Other processes could be to write at a specific time every day with no distractions, go to a favorite coffee shop, or start each day with a walk to focus your thoughts.<br />
<br />
To wrap up my thoughts on the matter: write when you don't want to, do whatever it takes to motivate yourself, and kick your demon's ass if it asks you to step away from the book. Do not step away from the book.Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-61040866865565672442015-08-09T12:00:00.000-07:002015-08-10T12:27:19.422-07:005 Steps to Starting a Novel from ScratchOkay, okay, these aren't necessarily consecutive, all-inclusive steps that will guide you from the blank page and blinking cursor in front of you to a tidy 90,000 word book. But it's a start. And hopefully it will give you a good idea of how to get started and what to expect as you plow through.<br />
<br />
May the force be with you. I don't even like Star Wars, I don't know why I said that. May the odds be ever in your favor? That's better, but hopefully no one dies...<br />
<br />
<b>Step 1:</b> <b>Be crazy. </b><br />
<br />
You need to be just the right amount of insane to come up with a books' worth of thoughts, write them down, read through them, and then berate yourself repeatedly until you questions your whole purpose in life...And then try and convince someone that it's the best thing since The Bible. If you're not crazy enough you will likely get a chapter or two into the book (one or two sittings) think "Well, that was fun..." and put it down forever. That's fine. It's what most people who start a book do, but you need to be prepared to push through that feeling. Write when you don't want to, even if it's just 500 words and it's junk that you'll inevitably throw out in a fit of rage. Eventually you'll get your groove back and you and Stella will have a finished book!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Free stock photo of fashion, legs, notebook, working" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/5279/fashion-legs-notebook-working-medium.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<b>Step 2: Start with <i>something</i>.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
You don't have to know exactly what is going to happen every step of the way but, good god man, <a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/09/25/25-things-you-should-do-before-starting-your-next-novel/" target="_blank">start with </a><i><a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/09/25/25-things-you-should-do-before-starting-your-next-novel/" target="_blank">something</a>. </i>As a freelance writer I wrote short stories, novels, non-fiction informative e-books, and I've started several of my own books and it feels like I do something different every time. I've started with no plan except one character (basically me in the flesh...or at least how I like to think of myself...) and a general idea of what I wanted the genre to be. That's right, the <i>genre. </i>I was pretty sure I wanted it to be Young Adult, but I didn't know if it would be fantasy, sci-fi, romance, etc. And then I really liked typing with a potty mouth so I almost threw the Young Adult out the window. Trust me. It doesn't work. Have a plan.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
I've also started with a very detailed outline complete with every character, their back stories, and their backstories' backstories. Sometimes this can be better, but it's easy to write yourself into a corner. You don't want to stifle yourself, that's how you wind up dreading writing. You may begin writing and suddenly become inspired to make two characters fall in love, or kill off someone, or add tension somewhere to mix things up. Keep your options open.<br />
<br />
My personal favorite MO is a sparse outline. You should know where the book starts, some general scene pacing to get a feel for the <a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2015/02/09/story-shapes-four-ways-to-think-about-narrative-architecture/" target="_blank">story arc</a>, and generally what you'd like to happen at the end. That's not to say you can't change the ending, you'll get to know your story better as you write it and will be a better judge of what should happen and when. Trust your instincts! Unless your instincts are telling you to kill John Snow, then maybe you should take a break...<br />
<br />
<b>Step 3: Prime your writing pump.</b><br />
<br />
It's hard to start any book or story since the first few pages are crucial. You have to introduce your characters, your hook, and let readers know what they can expect from your book. You have to sell it. This is a lot of pressure and it can lead to writers trying to cram too much info in, be too clever, not want to be overwhelmingly <i>anything</i>, and ultimately lead to an awkward, clunky intro.<br />
<br />
I am constantly writing and re-writing the first lines and pages of anything I write. Did my character enter with enough pzazz? Can readers get a sense of the character and the story pretty quickly? Was that rant about <i>Emma </i>by Jane Austen actually pertinent to the story or did I just include it because I just finished it and needed a place to air my grievances? (This actually happened in my first novel. I don't know why I felt the need to hate on Jane Austen in the most crucial pages of my book. Maybe I thought I was being surly, relatable, and clever?)<br />
<br />
Start with a short story featuring your characters or start somewhere earlier than you want to begin your book to give them a chance to warm up and give yourself a chance to work out any awkward jokes, tendencies, or...book reviews.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 4: Picture it, then write it.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
She kicked him. He fell to the floor. She ran past him and escaped.<br />
<br />
That was boring. Don't be boring. Be anything <i>but </i>boring.<br />
<br />
Before starting a new scene, especially busy scenes with a lot going on, picture it going down in your mind and hone in on what the character is seeing, hearing, smelling, and feeling. Have a good mix of simple and unique portrayals. Not every line needs to be a snail's pace account of what's happening. Switch up the tempo, keep readers on their toes.<br />
<br />
She channeled every ounce of strength she had left as she launched her foot into his groin. His face was like lightening before the thunder, folding in on itself as he fell to the floor, followed by a piercing cry. He was down for the count and she saw her chance to escape.<br />
<br />
Not perfect, but better. One exercise that the authors of <a href="http://jasminestanford.blogspot.com/2013/05/your-first-novel-by-ann-rittenburg-and.html" target="_blank">"Your First Novel"</a> suggested is to take a section of your writing, something manageable like a paragraph or a page, and double it. Double the descriptions, the thoughts going through characters' heads, the action sequence. Another exercise is to take a section and half it. Keep doing this until you come out with a well-worked piece.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 5: It's not the end of the world, so have fun with it!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Really.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-48737888916150692632015-08-07T14:50:00.000-07:002015-08-07T14:50:00.533-07:00Are the "Great Works" of Literature Obsolete? This post is inspired by my recent accomplishment: reading Catcher in the Rye. I like classical books as much as the next person, which is to say I mostly just like the idea of reading them and then impressing people with how well read I am.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/32/Rye_catcher.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The thing that got to me about Catcher in the Rye is that it wasn't really about anything. When trying to explain it to my boyfriend here's what I had to say: "Um...it's about a guy who gets kicked out of boarding school and he basically hates everything. He doesn't want to go home to his parents yet so he stays in a hotel and gets beat up by a pimp. Oh, but then he sneaks into his own house to say hi to his little sister and then later he tells her he's going to run away. But then he doesn't."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ok, maybe I didn't do it justice, but can anyone tell me how to better explain it? I get that the kid didn't know what he wanted to do with his life and didn't see the point in going to school, those surly teenagers... But seriously, are these books actually doing today's youth any good? Is the reason we have them read this stuff in school to get the message? Or to learn how to expertly use spark notes to make it seem like they actually read the book?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Compare Catcher in the Rye to basically anything written by John Greene. I don't necessarily think John Greene is an incredible author but I've read a few of his books and they strike the same societal chord that, I believe, Catcher in the Rye was meant to strike. Teens going through a range of existential crises, trying to figure out what their purpose is. That about sum it up? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So my question is, should the great works of literature still be used in the every day classroom, or have they become culturally obsolete? I don't know who determines what books are important for kids in school to read, but shouldn't they be reading pieces they can relate to? Is it so important for these kids to be able to decipher Shakespeare or understand the time and culture of Catcher in the Rye? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Why not push new books with similar messages that may be of more interest to students and foster an overall greater interest in reading? Is there no other love story than Romeo and Juliet? Isn't it just as important, if not more so, to study literature from the past thirty years? Teach students about the issues we were <i>just </i>facing, are facing now, and will be facing. Leave the centuries old plays for some light reading when they're older and it won't completely deter them from the written word... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-10147819407301071182015-08-06T14:11:00.000-07:002015-08-06T17:32:40.678-07:00All Writers Are Narcissists <div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Free stock photo of hand, laptop, notebook, typing" height="265" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/6189/hand-laptop-notebook-technology-medium.jpg" width="400" /></div>
</div>
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I think we're all a bit narcissistic on a basic, human level. But narcissism is the <i>life blood </i>of writers. We, and I include myself to be generous (To me, not to other, more talented writers. Though that would be narcissistic of me, so...), think we have something so unique and profound to say. I don't write to add to the piles of unread material out there, though likely that is where most of my stuff will end up, I write because I have something to say. Or at least I <i>think </i>I do. Sometimes I get half way through and ask myself "What was this supposed to be about again?"<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Other writers think the way they can paint a scene with beautiful, lyrical words should be framed and displayed as art. I'm not saying there aren't <i>incredible </i>pieces out there that paint a nature scene so beautifully with words that it makes you want to cry--but isn't the act of creating this type of work self-absorbed by nature? Even as I write this I have a picture in my head of how I want to be perceived. I want people to see me as the artsy, coffee-drinking, dark-souled, introspective person that most people picture when they think of writers. Carrie Bradshaw pumping out sexy crowd-pleasers on her Mac surrounded by piles of eclectic outfits and a cigarette dangling haphazardly from her lips as she effortlessly creates something smart and sassy from observations she's made in her own life.<br />
<br />
Take that last paragraph. Actually take every word I've ever written semi-professionally, here is my thought process of how I chose each phrase, reference, and example: <i>Carrie Bradshaw, </i>does it fit? Well she is a fictional writer who very much illustrates the theme of this blog post, so yes. What will readers (Ha! Like I have readers...) think of me if I use a <i>Sex and the City </i>reference? I mean...she is a pretty cool lady if you're in to forty year-old women who still haven't figured their lives out and make you feel pretty good about your own choices. But will readers write me off (pun intended) if I use Carrie Bradshaw as an example of what I picture writers being? Oh, how about Jesse from <i>Gilmore Girls</i>? Will people still remember that show? Did anyone on the planet love that show as much as I did? Nah, let's keep Carrie Bradshaw, she's more accessible. What word will make me seem smart, sophisticated, confident, less like an amateur, and like I'm not terrified of putting my thoughts out there?<br />
<br />
See what I mean? Every word a writer chooses is tailored so people will think they're clever, talented, and far too cool. Which I am. And don't you forget it.<br />
<br />
Wait... what is this supposed to be about again? Oh yeah...<br />
<br />
I'm not saying that all writers are terrible people, either. Narcissism gets a bad rap. Some people are fascinating and getting a taste of what's going on inside their heads is a <i>treat</i>. I think most people are fascinating in some way, but writers have the tools (at least some of them do) to take you on an adventure, make you feel things, and change you into a little bit of a different person. Without their narcissism we'd be poorer people. Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-36440724728008598762014-09-10T13:02:00.003-07:002015-08-06T17:33:10.116-07:00How Freelance Work is Dominating the Job MarketI got a nice <a href="https://www.elance.com/q/blog/new-study-shows-impact-freelancing-america">email from Elance</a> today informing be that there are now over 53 million Americans doing freelance work! Granted, I believe the number includes people who may only do freelance on the side or a couple of times a year to earn some spare change, but still....okay?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYg6FEcTnBm_prWaUxhhoiVU4tFItURPVwPW-bxViz8MmMTXOCD2bhkiwWLacR-zxBufup4b8bgbgz2cpj7v4_xQoADUwo1EfM4_5L6sKUiU8MK_-SlNJFcPzKmVc1x7CDNbYdiyERPUC6/s1600/Working+from+home.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYg6FEcTnBm_prWaUxhhoiVU4tFItURPVwPW-bxViz8MmMTXOCD2bhkiwWLacR-zxBufup4b8bgbgz2cpj7v4_xQoADUwo1EfM4_5L6sKUiU8MK_-SlNJFcPzKmVc1x7CDNbYdiyERPUC6/s1600/Working+from+home.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
With this huge shift in workforce setting, what does that mean for those of us who freelance for a living vs those of us who don't?<br />
<br />
Companies are relying more and more on utilizing freelancers, they often only need them for projects or jobs that have a finite time frame, so it ends up being much cheaper to hire a freelancer rather than a full time employee with all those pesky benefits. <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/atwork/2014/09/04/one-in-three-u-s-workers-is-a-freelancer/">2% of the standard work force</a> positions are being awarded to freelancers.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Surely the current freelancers are seeing less demand for their work now that the freelancer supply has grown so large though... Actually, quite the opposite has happened. In the last year, twice as many freelancers saw an <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/oDesk/global-freelancer-surveyresearch-38467323/1">increase in demand</a> than those who saw a decrease.<br />
<br />
Other than location, the requirements for freelancing are comparable with the traditional workforce. Jobs still tend to go to those who have more than a high school education and more experience in their field than those who have little experience and limited education.<br />
<br />
So why doesn't everybody do it? Freelancing is not something anyone does out of necessity (or at least extreme necessity), if you need a stable pay check, freelancing is probably not for you. Don't get me wrong, you can have some REALLY GREAT weeks, but they may be followed by a month of nothing but cricket sounds as you wait around for other work. Fittingly, financial necessity is not one of the highest reasons freelancers have chosen the trade. Schedule flexibility, pursuing projects your passionate about, strengthening skills, and spending more time with friends and family are all highly valued reasons people freelance.<br />
<br />
So what will the next several years look like for us freelancers? First of all, traditional insurance and loan options will have to adjust to fit the growing freelance market. There will likely also be more freelance buildings where people can go, share ideas, have access to internet....I know, I'm basically describing a Starbucks...but one great-big-giant Starbucks...with free coffee?Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-770104600356101962014-09-09T12:29:00.004-07:002015-08-06T12:11:37.182-07:00Crazy Few months...Wow... I don't really know where to start to fill you in on the last few months...I guess one big bomb is fine.<br />
<br />
I quit my job and became a freelance writer!<br />
<br />
I'm crazy I know, really. All of my family and many of my friends are terrified on my behalf. I'll start off with saying that I'm fortunate enough to be supported both emotionally and financially by my boyfriend who, though he is probably terrified himself, has been a trooper through this whole "I want to do something that makes me happy," crisis.<br />
<br />
That's the gist of it, I quit my job. It should also be noted that I didn't quit in order to become a writer, I quit and then discovered the world of freelance writing mere <i>days </i>before my last day with a paycheck. It feels like I've been doing this for months, though.<br />
<br />
Within the first two weeks of writing, I've accomplished more than I had in the last three years of my old job. I have written <i>dozens </i>of articles, product descriptions, and blogs. I've learned about investing in gold, video marketing strategies, and even how to fix a garage door when it gets jammed. I've written my first e-book about art therapy, I've started my own book about how to become a freelance writer (from a beginner's perspective), and I've signed a deal to re-write classical children's stories.<br />
<br />
I feel so blessed and, more importantly, SO FREE!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/2/d/8/2/1194985400709778432seagull_contour_nicu_buc_01.svg.med.png" /></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
I will share some working-from-home myths that I've discovered though:<br />
<br />
- You don't get to sleep in as late as you want. You still have clients that expect you to be available at a certain time.<br />
<br />
- You don't get to pick and choose who you work with. Maybe eventually you will, but at the beginning, you're just trying to get work! You won't get the feedback or number of jobs you need to be successful if you don't grin and bare it with the occasional difficult client.<br />
<br />
- It doesn't feel as satisfying to work in your pajamas as you thought it would. It just makes you feel like a slob.<br />
<br />
Also a bonus myth about writing:<br />
<br />
It's not all trendy article writing like "Sex and the City." I doubt Carrie Bradshaw ever had to write extensively about which exhaust hood was best for your stove...<br />
<br />
I expect the next several weeks are going to be brimming with peaks, valleys, glee, and pulling my hair out. I'm as terrified as I've ever been, but no one great ever got anywhere without taking risks. At least that's what I keep telling myself!<br />
<br />
<br />Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-9110255020069276662014-04-22T15:43:00.000-07:002015-08-06T12:11:37.212-07:00Battles of Westeros<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="a-dynamic-image a-stretch-vertical" data-a-dynamic-image="{"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kXi4JweIL._SY355_.jpg":[276,355],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kXi4JweIL.jpg":[389,500],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kXi4JweIL._SY450_.jpg":[350,450]}" data-old-hires="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kXi4JweIL._SY450_.jpg" height="320" id="landingImage" style="max-height: 530px; max-width: 530px;" width="248" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is my first board game review - I've chosen a rather involved game so people can get a feel for what I'm going to cover and...I just really liked it, so I wanted to talk about it. Get off my back, okay?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First and foremost, for those who are not Game of Thrones fans, this game is a strategy based game set in the fictional land of Westeros, created by George R.R. Martine in his saga "A Song of Ice and Fire." If you haven't read this series or seen it on HBO, go. Come back and finish this after you're done...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Are you back? What did you think? How 'bout that red wedding? Okay, enough, back to the game.<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you're not in to strategy based games, this is definitely not for you (I'm looking at you, people who can't make it through a game of Risk). There are scenarios that you play through, called "Battle Plans," that detail what the goal is of the scenario, what pieces to play with, how to lay out the map, etc. It's a really versatile game, and there are more plans online than are included in the game set. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
HOWEVER...it took us over 3 hours to prepare the game and get through the directions. There were over 100 pieces to assemble onto little stands, and it was much harder than it needed to be. My boyfriend and I were crushing the little pieces into the stands using butter knives. I got a blister on my finger, so...there's that. And, to add insult to injury, the pieces didn't all stay in their stands, we had to glue about two dozen of them together.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But, okay, I can get passed that, spend an hour or so crushing and gluing small pieces together while watching an episode of "Parks and Recreation," not so bad. The next morning, though, not as easy. Punching out the rest of the pieces took another 15 minutes and then.....the directions. Can I just take a minute and say -- holy shit. Over 25 pages of directions (which were all necessary, none of this fluffy stuff that you just end up saying "Okay, let' play a couple rounds and we'll just pick it up." This shit is legit, you better be paying attention. And after you've been blistered by the pieces, and beaten into submission by the directions, it's finally time to play. This is where it starts looking up.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The game is a two player game, which there aren't a whole lot of. Yeah, there are games that you can <em>choose </em>to play with two people, but they're usually less fun/challenging/engaging. So this is JUST a two player game, don't invite all of your friends over to play it. They will be very bored and never come back. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As I said before, the game is very involved and versatile. The board, or "battlefield," is set up according to the scenario given in the battle plan. There will be rivers, roads, towns, etc. that are added to the board to introduce different challenges and options. Each scenario has a different goal, which changes the strategy of how you play from game to game. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The game itself takes only 1-2 hours to play, depending on the battle scenario chosen, so after you invest the time to prepare it and learn it, it's not a big time commitment. You can think of it like an investment. And MOST importantly, I can't believe I'm only mentioning this now, you play as the Starks and the Lannisters. I don't know why they did that, the most beloved family vs. the most hated family, <em>I'll rock-paper-scissor you for the Starks! </em>You get to play as some of your favorite characters and they each have special abilities according to their natures. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, DON'T buy the game if you have no interest in strategy based games, you won't like it, it will be a waste of money, and you will just lead a terrible life because of it...or you'll get over it, who can possibly know? DO buy the game if you are a fan of GoT and also love a good strategy game and you don't mind spending at least 3 hours to set up and learn the game the first time. It's a little over $60 depending on where you get it, so a little more expensive than the average game, but you get a lot for your money (or at least that's what my blisters are telling me, and they're rarely wrong). </div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-23535617479160462182014-04-21T15:03:00.001-07:002015-08-06T12:11:37.119-07:00I'm Alive!So it's been about a year since I started this blog and about 9 months since I last posted. Yep, I was on top of it for a record 3 months and then just stopped one day, about the same time I started a new project at work and lost touch with most of the hobbies I had :/ <br />
<br /><br />
So, today I've decided to give this another shot, partly because maintaining this blog has helped me tremendously as a writer. Putting myself out there and forcing myself to write things completely out of my comfort zone (and I mean SO FAR out of my comfort zone that I thought I had almost lost it), has made me not only a more well-rounded writer (still amateur, let's not get ahead of ourselves), but a stronger person in general. But I think my favorite part about having the blog is that it really is just a glorified journal for me. I've been able to look at a 3 month span of my life and remember so many little things that I otherwise would have lost. My adventures in reading, writing, gardening, traveling, cooking, and blogging are all documented. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a thousand words are worth...ok, well, a thousand words. But you get the picture.<br />
<br /><br />
So here goes my effort to re-energize my blog for myself! <br />
<br /><br />
When I last posted, I had set down my novel for the obligatory waiting period suggested by absolutely every author/editor/publicist that I've researched. The thing about that waiting period though, is that it absolutely killed my writing fervor. I consider myself a pretty disciplined person, I told myself I had to write a certain number of words every week and write a certain number of blog posts every week, and I did it! When I had to put it down, I lost interest in it. I've still yet to gain that momentum back. When I stopped writing the book, I had less to write about in the weekly blogs. When I started my work project I had even less time to not only write the blogs, but do the activities I was writing about. <br />
<br /><br />
Life has calmed a little bit for me now, and I now feel like I am able to pick some of these interests back up. Some of the things I expect to write about over the next couple months include writing (more short stories and potentially a new novel), books that I'm reading, board games I'm playing - I'm going to review these as an exercise for myself as well as to provide a reference for board gamers, and potentially my journey of starting a small business. This last one may or may not make the blog. I'm getting really interested in it, but I'm going to hazard to say that tax laws and business licenses do not make for the most interesting subject matter.<br />
<br /><br />
Regardless of the blog's value, I'm looking forward to jumping back in to the adrenaline rush that is writing and letting myself grow in all sorts of different directions. Here's to a very exciting next couple of months!Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-2325529698086350122013-06-26T18:26:00.003-07:002015-08-06T12:11:37.115-07:00What's up Wednesday: Weight Watchers and Chopped!I have two big goals coming up in the near-ish future. <br />
<br />
1. Lose 20 pounds by September 23<br />
2. Become the 2nd Annual Chopped Champion!!!!<br />
<br />
Don't worry, I'll explain...<br />
<br />
I lost about twenty pounds a little over two years ago, and over the course of the last two years, I have put 21 pounds back on. When I did it the first time, I counted calories and worked out. I ate only 2,000 calories per day and worked out at least 4 or 5 times a week. It MELTED off!! But <em>maybe </em>it wasn't super healthy.<br />
<br />
I'm a big coffee drinker, almost 1/4 of my calories was going to my coffee (because I put sugar and creamer in it) and I couldn't eat as many other things because my cap was 2,000 calories per day. Yes I lost the weight, but don't feel my that my overall health improved as much as it could have.<br />
<br />
NOW, I am doing weight watchers plus. I have a <a href="http://www.laaloosh.com/how-to-calculate-daily-weight-watchers-points-plus-allowance/">daily allotted amount of points</a> and 35 extra points per week that can be used whenever. Daily points don't roll over, but your weekly points are there all week. The best thing about this program is that most fruits and vegetables are 0 points! The points are <a href="http://www.calculatorcat.com/free_calculators/weight_watchers_calculator.phtml">calculated</a> based on fat, carbs, fiber, and protein, so the healthier the food, the fewer the points.<br />
<br />
Also, you can earn points back! Say I plan on eating a lot this weekend, I can work out every day this week to build up <a href="http://www.exercise4weightloss.com/activity-points-calculator.html">activity points</a> to cover it! And one week into it, I have lost 5 pounds (I need to average 1.5 pounds a week to hit my goal)! <br />
<br />
And I actually DO feel like I'm healthier and have a little more energy. I've been eating more fruits and vegetables and working out everyday!<br />
<br />
Now for the most serious of the two topics...Chopped!<br />
<br />
My little sister , Eric, and I started this competition last year after my sister and I watched tons of "Chopped!" over the summer. Sadly, I did not win. Eric won and he rubbed it in all year long with the prestigious t-shirt declaring him the First Annual Chopped Champion. <br />
<br />
What we do, is we go to the store and pick 3 ingredients for the meal we are judging (appetizer, entrée, dessert). Then we blitz the store, taking bout thirty minutes to come up with a plan and buy the ingredients for the two meals we will cook.<br />
<br />
We define a time limit (in the show they have 30 minutes for each round, but we are nowhere good enough to do that), and cook! Then the judge tastes the food and decided who won the round. Whoever wins the majority of the rounds is the champion. In the even of a tie, the chef's must prepare a meal out of only the ingredients lying around in the house (this hasn't happened to us yet).<br />
<br />
Anyway, I have been doing my research this year. I know how to make a basic soup without a recipe, lots of different smoothies, different ways to treat meat, and ways to cook root vegetables that scare me away because they look ugly.<br />
<br />
I'm READY!!!!! Cue Rocky montage Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-41108703675393197752013-06-19T16:33:00.000-07:002015-08-06T12:11:37.139-07:00What's up Wednesday: 4 things I learned this weekThis is the first post in a series of posts called What's Up Wednesday. WUW will be exactly what it sounds like. What's up with me, my writing, the world if there's something particularly interesting going on. <br />
<br />
For this week's What's Up Wednesday my topic is 4 things I learned this week. <br />
<br />
1. <strong><u>How do I shut off water to my house?</u></strong><br />
<br />
We've been growing a garden. It's been real. It's been fun. It's been real fun. BUT, there are tons of things that just keep popping up for us to deal with in the yard work department. Lowes has quickly grown to be one of my favorite stores, all they need is a grocery department and we'd be all set.<br />
<br />
Anyways, we've had a problem with the hose spigot, it leaks everywhere! We can fill up a 10 gallon bucket of leaked water just in the 10 minutes it takes us to water our garden! We've (and be we, I mean mostly Eric), have spent the last three weeks trying to fix it. It was leaking through the handle and we needed to remove the handle to see what was wrong...but you can't remove the handle without dousing yourself with cold water. So obviously we need to figure out how to shut water off to the house.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Okay, let's call the handy man in our lives, Eric's brother, Mickey. Apparently most houses are set up with a main shut-off valve in the house in like a basement or closet or something. Lucky us, we're special and the elusive valve is nowhere in sight. Hm...okay, plan b is to Google it. Google says that in cold environments the valve should be inside, but in warm climates, it is typically outside. The picture showed a meter sticking out of the ground, so we scaled the house and determined that the only meters outside by the house were for gas.<br />
<br />
Time to ask a local. I asked a coworker and he said I should have one right by the street in the front of my house, it will be a small metal lid that I could lift to see the meter in the ground. He was also very curious as to how I'd never noticed this before. Well...just leave me alone, okay?<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, it all worked swimmingly, it worked, we were able to shut off all the water to the house, remove the spigot, replace the washer and pad around it with graphite packer. No leaks, we are happy campers.<br />
<br />
2. <strong><u>What do you mean you can't kill that spider?! You're Orkin. That's your job!</u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
In last week's blog post, I told you that I found a giant wolf spider in my yard. Well, the stars aligned, and Orkin called me the very next day to tell me they'd be by the next day to spray my house. So, it's Monday, I'm feeling pretty good that I'm getting the spider removed and Orkin totally ruined my week. First of all, my yard is infested with mosquitos, and Orkin did not have the right chemicals to treat it this week...STRIKE ONE<br />
<br />
Second of all, I have a slug problem, slugs just jeep showing up and I don't know how to keep them out, this is something I would think Orkin could handle very easily. Nope. They told us to just use salt. STRIKE TWO. There was also a grown roach in my garage (not happy about that, but relieved it wasn't in the house, which Orkin thanked me for keeping clean. Apparently they see really bad houses with roaches falling from the ceilings on them all the time, so I remove strike two, because he was polite and made me feel good about my housekeeping).<br />
<br />
Third of all, Orkin apparently can't kill the wolf spider! It's a hunting spider (which sounds terrifying, right?), not a web spider, so the poisons they use won't work on it. SO now I'm nervous that the wolf spider overheard me planning its demise, and now the hunting spider is going to get me. However, I guess it eats all the really bad spiders (black widows, brown recluses, etc.) and they keep other harmful insects away. I may just leave it there. It's very predictable, I'll give him his space, maybe we can work up a schedule of who gets the yard and when... we'll see. I can be civilized too, Wolfie.<br />
<br />
3. <strong><u>You can't just throw grass seed down and expect it to grow.</u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
Half of my yard is dirt. It could've been caused by the drought last year, or the trees overly shading the yard, or the fact that I didn't rake or water at all for a whole year...who knows, let's not get all finger-pointy. But the fact remains, my yard looks like shit. Eric gave grass growing a try and sprinkled the seed throughout the lawn. Then it rained and all the seed moved to one spot. That 1' X 1' spot looks gooooood. But the rest of my yard still looks like the junkyard from "The Sandlot." <br />
<br />
We bought more grass seed and this time I read the directions and tried to follow them exactly. We hoed and raked up the section we wanted to test, loosening the soil and evening it out. Then we scattered seed (this part I could have done better, I just sprinkled it with my hand. A seeder would have been better, but I'm not a millionaire, okay?), and then we RAKED IT. This was the missing piece, we weren't sowing the seeds before and they kept running away. We watered it every day for a week and they all started showing up this week, I think it will look good when they grow a little more<br />
<br />
4. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cosmicpluto/2703215862/">How to make cucumber's climb</a><br />
<br />
We're growing cucumbers and when I was watering them the other day, I noticed that they were sort of toppled over, just sprawled out on the ground. That's fine if you have a lot of space and can afford to lose a few, but this is our first garden and we want everything to do well, so we looked up ways to get the cucumbers off the ground. We went to Lowes and bought a trellis and it ended up being really easy to teach the cucumbers to climb! They have little spiral vine things that will wrap around anything they touch (they were actually wrapped all around each other and I ended up breaking a lot of the tendrils trying to separate them, but I don't think I did too much damage. Once I got them off the ground, they stood about a foot tall and cleared up a lot of space. And now when they actually start growing cucumbers, they won't lie on the ground, getting soggy or rotting!<br />
<br />
<br />Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-81118548315400178612013-06-18T17:13:00.002-07:002015-08-06T12:11:37.187-07:00Countdown to editing my bookIt's about that time...It's been 4 weeks, I only have two weeks left until it's editing time and so many things are on my mind.<br />
<br />
I work a full-time job and devoted my after work free time to writing. Near the end of my book, I was on a roll with a writing commitment of 1,000 word a day. Since my book-writing hiatus started, I have been doing my best to fill the extra time with value added stuff (and by that, I mean value added to writing). <br />
<br />
I started the blogging class, launched a Twitter account, joined a critique circle and have been critiquing a lot of stories, began doing weekly short stories, and I researched a lot about the editing process and finding an agent. SO I've found myself in this little cocoon of fun things to keep me busy. Things that matter, things that are helping me become a better writer. And now I'm like a kid graduating high school. <em>What's going to happen to me now? Blogging and I will be friends forever...right? </em>I'm nervous that when I start writing/editing again, I will no longer have time for all these little things that I'm nervous to give up. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
And, let's be honest...I'm a little scared to start editing. I'm 4 weeks removed from my book right now and I'm nervous to pick it back up. It's like your closet when you go to bed at night. You just saw your closet, there was nothing in it. It was a little messy but, no one's perfect, right? But somehow, FOR SOME REASON, you are convinced there is something in there, waiting for you to go to sleep so it can attack. That's how I feel about my book. It was alright last I saw it, obviously not perfect. I'm nervous that when I pick it up I'm going to hate absolutely everything I've written so far...<br />
<br />
I'm going to try to enjoy these last two weeks, maybe I'll try to put some sort of writing calendar in place so I don't lose sight of the little writing activities I've grown accustomed to (and let's be honest, I'm an engineer, I love me some agendas). <br />
<br />
Cue countdown music. Two weeks until shit gets real.Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-84603414886904494762013-06-17T17:38:00.000-07:002015-08-06T12:11:37.192-07:00Why "City of Bones" may not be worth your timeI have a weakness when it comes to teen paranormal romance...or at least I thought I did. I LOVED Harry Potter, I liked the Twilight books (don't look at me like that), Vampire Academy, Maximum Ride, Beautiful Creatures, etc. I think I've always been drawn to exceptional circumstances, and the possibility that there are people who have powers and abilities such as those written about in the above books. <br />
<br />
I don't think interesting worlds and creatures are enough anymore. The YA market has been saturated with books that appear to rely on vampires, witches, and werewolves to make the story interesting. Again, this is no longer enough. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0L_KH5T9wRnIczcC69BYdJoC-sqtJXNycY-2iEHZzNnTwoea7tKD7Yv0Cb3f0Ahd55sXefaRU2kbLXOmIBnZTydr2xO_7-0zMqHS2s2bnPmj2YeApvgngkF88tc5GQgbwIET06oNOrhT/s1600/City+of+Bones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0L_KH5T9wRnIczcC69BYdJoC-sqtJXNycY-2iEHZzNnTwoea7tKD7Yv0Cb3f0Ahd55sXefaRU2kbLXOmIBnZTydr2xO_7-0zMqHS2s2bnPmj2YeApvgngkF88tc5GQgbwIET06oNOrhT/s1600/City+of+Bones.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
City of Bones, by Casandra Clare, has an incredibly interesting premise that I felt could have, and should have, been further developed. Instead, it felt like the story was built from a standard template that many YA paranormal romance books are following.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The main character is a girl. There is nothing especially special about her, she's self deprecating, unhappy with her physical appearance, doesn't see what others see, etc. Speaking of which, don't forget the love triangle between a best friend and rude and elusive bad boy who kicks ass, no book is complete without it anymore. The girl is on a journey to save someone close to her and is willing to throw her life away to do so, seemingly unfazed by the dangers in her path. There is one evil superpower that wants to keep the human world "pure," does this all sound familiar? It should...<br />
<br />
What this book DOES have going for it, is that it didn't stick with the "popular" version of these creatures (and even has a few new ones I've not heard of), the vampires aren't romantic hunks, there are demons being hunted, and the main characters are shadow hunters (half human, half angel basically). <br />
<br />
The writing style itself was a little lacking as well. I wanted story development, instead I got a book full of action, with very few moments to let me catch my breath and collect my thoughts. It felt like a sprint instead of a walk in which I could enjoy all of my surroundings and appreciate the moment. <br />
<br />
Again, I do like the premise of the story, there are shadow hunters who banish demons to their own worlds in the hope of preserving the human world. The weapons and powers used are incredibly interesting, but the characters and plot seemed a little...run-of-the-mill. I give it a 5.5 out of 10.Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039369633134468889.post-22089925661090500392013-06-13T19:56:00.001-07:002015-08-13T09:59:36.900-07:00Flash Fiction: The Choice<em>Another Flash Fiction from Chuck Wendig. This time we were asked to merge the themes of two major pop-culture works. Mine randomly generated works were "Star Wars" and "The Stand." This was the hardest one for me yet...</em><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She doesn’t know
what she’s doing,” Jackson said. His nostrils were flaring and his teeth were
clenched. Lana had been his only companion for years and she was being
straddled by his new leader who’s dagger dug a little too far into Lana’s neck.
A thin streak of blood traveled gracefully down, gathering into a small pool on
the ground where she was pinned. Jackson locked gazes with Lana. He shook his
head, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why did she come here? </i>He
couldn’t take his eyes from her. She was risking her life for him, just like
the first night they spent on this planet. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">xxx</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the ship landed on Anthus, almost all of Jackson’s
crew came down with an unfamiliar virus and died within hours. Only he and Lana
were immune. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The journey to Anthus had taken two months longer than was
planned and they were down to crumbs. “Wait here, I’m going to try to find
something to eat.” Jackson said. Lana was covered in blankets and her teeth
were chattering. </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t have to,” she said, teeth slamming violently
together. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll be quick,” he promised, smiling encouragement to her.
He threw another blanket on top of her and ducked through the small door of the
ship. Letting his eyes adjust to the dark. It wasn’t night dark, but there were
layers and layers of clouds blanketing everything around him. His own teeth
started to chatter. He crossed his arms, trying to generate a little body heat,
holding a knife in one fist, the other fist tucked beneath his arm. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was no vegetation in sight, red dust covered the
ground and fog blocked his view of the majority of his surroundings. After
several minutes he found a sort of pool. It was less dense than water and had a
silver color, thinking it poisonous he ignored it and kept going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several more minutes, a shadow passed
quickly over his head. He looked up and saw the silhouette of some sort of
flying creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That thing’s got to eat </i>something. He followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The creature disappeared and, after several minutes waiting
for it to reappear, Jackson decided to head back. He turned in circles, trying
to figure out which way he had come from. Nothing looked familiar. Everything
looked familiar. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hours passed as he walked aimlessly around. Red dust and
clouds. He sat down and rested for a while, he dreamt that he was back in the
ship. He woke up with tears in his eyes because he knew he was dreaming. He
knew that when he woke up he’d be here, alone. His throat was dry, his stomach
was painfully hollow, and he would do anything for a warm place to sleep. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was continuing on his search when he finally saw
something familiar. He ran to the pool of silvery liquid and took a greedy gulp,
unable to restrain himself after days without even a sip of water. It paralyzed
him immediately. He remained crouched, motionless with his head just inches
from the surface of the pool. He couldn’t close his eyes, he couldn’t lie down,
he was utterly paralyzed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could feel
his knees ache, it was getting colder and his body couldn’t even shiver. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A warmth grabbed him from the shoulders and pulled him over
onto his side. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lana</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Jackson! What the hell happened? Are you okay?” He didn’t
reply. “Jackson?” She shook him by the shoulders. His eyes were open but he was
unresponsive. Other voices joined Lana. “What’s wrong with him?” she asked
them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He drank from the pool of Lasthmer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must take him immediately if we hope to be
able to save him.” The deep voice said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They transported him to an underground city. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No wonder I couldn’t find anything, it’s all
down here. </i>There were fruits growing overhead, dangling from vines winding along
rocky ceiling. There was a whole community living there, fields and shops and
roads, all under the shelter of the ground. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">xxx</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jackson was remembering the last moments of his time with the
clan that saved him. Yalan and her clan had arrived in a tornado of blood and
swords. With a promise of fortune and safety, he was eager to join them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His mind returned to the situation at hand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yalan pushed the dagger slightly further
against Lana’s throat, the blood began flowing more freely. “Stop!” Jackson
yelled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But she’s one of them,” Yalan said, her lip pushed out in a
mock pout.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Just, let me talk to her,” Yalan grudgingly got up,
shooting Jackson a look that said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this
better be good. </i>“What are you doing here?” He hissed at Lana, he was
annoyed she came. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m saving your ass. You’re welcome by the way,” she sat
up, her hand moving to the wound on her neck. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I never asked to be saved. As you can see, I’m doing fine
here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why did you do it, Jackson? Why did you leave us?”</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why? Jesus, Lana, they were all over us! They had us
outnumbered five to one, and you ask me why I left? Why didn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you </i>leave with me? They gave us both a
choice. I chose to have food and water, to be able to sleep without fear, to—"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah? And how <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do </i>you
sleep at night, knowing what they’ve done to the innocent people that not only
clothed and fed you, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">saved your sorry
fucking life?</i>” She spat in his face. “You weren’t worth it. They should
have let you die you fucking traitor,” the look in her eyes turned to pure
malice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jackson stood up slowly, gingerly wiping the spit from his
eyes. He looked at Yalan, she gave him an encouraging nod. He helped Lana to
her feet and leaned in to whisper, “Lana, between my life and yours, I choose
mine every time.” Her eyes shot open in shock as he pushed his knife through
her ribs and into her heart.</span></div>
Jasmine Stanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07274567327821336824noreply@blogger.com0